Ownership In The Wild Chris Mccandless

Ownership is a claim living things make which expresses possession. It is a natural instinct to stake your claim, or in other words ‘mark your territory’, thus the action is highly visible in our lives. Ownership is commonly thought of in relation to possession of physical objects, but it can also relate to the possession of skills or ideas, a concept contemplated by philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre. The phenomenon of ownership has varying outcomes; in some cases possession brings forth unpleasant greed and malice. But at other times claiming objects or ideas increases personal pride, and increases ability, knowledge and camaraderie. Aristotle agrees with this, and theorizes that owning something positive boosts personal character. Contrastingly,

Plato feels possession harms character when it relates to tangible objects. Bringing forth greed and intensifying materialism, possessive ownership hinders life.

The desire to claim items and ideas brings forth egotistical and territorial qualities. Prioritizing the need to achieve ownership of materials above other aspects of life is detrimental to one’s character. In Into the Wild Chris McCandless’ parents devote their lives to earning money, molding them into greedy and short-tempered individuals. Over time this contributes to Chris’ disappearance. The sole objective of gaining wealth overtook them, preventing a fully balanced lifestyle. The innate need for possession, or more specifically money, leads to the surfacing of anger and greed. If ownership was not emphasized in society, these qualities would not be present. Not only does establishing dominance over resources cause hostility, but it deters from alternate aspects of life including family, community, education, and overall well-being. Obsessing over ownership promotes unhealthy greed. During the Space Race, countries competed to claim galactic objects. Creating enemies, hostilities, and anger, this battle forced nations to focus only on themselves rather than maintaining a global outlook. Focus shifted from serious issues of poverty and hunger to the

unnecessary desire of earning the coveted ‘first in space’ title. People become so fixated on claiming their own ideas and items that nothing else in their lives has any significance. This craze induces selfishness, being that ownership is mainly personal. Greed through ownership has existed since the beginning of mankind. Adam and Eve supposedly began the widespread obsession with possession. Adam was told not to eat from a certain bush but, wanting to own what he wasn’t supposed to, ate from the forbidden bush. Highlighting innate human evil, this biblical tale expresses the instinctive egotism resulting from the need to claim objects for yourself. Humans express negative qualities when ownership is emphasized due to worry that their possession may be taken away. When one’s ownership is threatened, undesirable qualities emerge due to a sense of entitlement and fear of losing the claim to an object or idea.
American society promotes materialistic ownership, distracting from the righteous purpose of existence. Although abstract ownership exists, that of literal objects is more prevalent. The nationwide need for possession has occurred unendingly since our country was formed. A period exemplifying worthless ownership is the 1920’s. The novel The Great Gatsby depicts this era and the negativity associated with tangible ownership. Jay Gatsby, the protagonist, lives a lavish lifestyle consisting of much excess; he hosts over-the-top parties, owns an opulent mansion and many vehicles. Socially, he is a desirable man, but he ultimately comes to represent the meaningless significance of wealth. An infatuation with wealth is considered the proper lifestyle according to societal norm, but will yield no truly rewarding results. Nevertheless, the United States continually focuses on tangible ownership. In today’s society, young people feel pressured to fit in, and material possessions are the ticket to popularity. Kohler is no exception; here kids must wear the hippest clothing, have the most high-tech cell phone and, if they are really desperate, utilize alcohol and drugs to find friends. These are all physical objects which overtake the lives of young people and distract them from school, family, religion, and even personal health. Corruption in society stems from a desperate need to have the same as, or more than, what others have. In today’s world the technology, clothing, and general surplus of materials is the most sought after. Unlike a majority of American youth, Christopher McCandless frowned upon ownership of materials. Into the Wild details his story; Chris ridded himself of his possessions, including his guitar, money, and car in an effort to live off the land rather than rely on anything manmade. Chris protested the material dependence and need for possession which consumes our society. American lives revolve around what ‘things’ will improve one’s personal image, taking away from more substantial topics such as improving the environment, mental health, or diminishing violence.
The action of claiming something as your own includes the real or imaginary. Possessorship helps and hinders humans. Unfortunately, the bad outweighs the good. Ownership of visible and invisible matter deteriorates personal character, restrains success, and damages society altogether. The American infatuation with material objects consumes lives, taking away from more meaningful causes. Seen especially in adolescents, tangible possessions are required to lead a socially acceptable existence. Gatsby’s superfluous lifestyle is worshipped by members of society, but he lacks any true purpose. Chris McCandless denounces material ownership, allowing him to live a more fulfilling existence. Life should be spent concerning yourself with personal happiness, beliefs, the needs of others, and cultural issues rather than achieving more substance than others simply for bragging rights. Competition stemming from possession generates self absorption and animosity. The Space Race occupied national interests, causing hostilities and taking away from global tragedies. Chris’ McCandless parents spend their lives accumulating wealth; this quest brings forth aggression and harms their loved ones. The story of Adam and Eve symbolizes the greed resulting from the accumulation of possessions and the territorial nature associated with it. The human need to acquire and retain items as well as knowledge overtakes a personality, creating unhealthy selfishness and malice. It is human nature to desire and covet ownership of the tangible and intangible, even if the consequences are undesired. Earning possession is something that cannot be prevented. Ownership and its grim repercussions will always be part of society, no matter what.