Reflection On Into The Wild By John Krakauer

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Sudden change is something that is widely feared in today’s society, yet change is also something that is desired for a fulfilling life. For me, there were moments in my life where I felt that I was trapped by my own inaction, and to escape, I needed to free my mind by taking the first initiative towards change. The change would not be made through comfort and safety but through one of the fundamentals of the human spirit: the passion for adventure. From the words of John F. Kennedy, “We do things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” Jon Krakauer’s “Into The Wild” is a story about an ambitious young man named Christopher McCandless who, in an attempt to escape human society, transitioned from his comfortable city life in Virginia to the unforgiving wilderness of the Alaskan frontier. Chris’ unique outlook on life has influenced my desire for meaningful changes in my life. …show more content…

Something that intrigued me was the way Chris tried to make his life more difficult while others around him were doing the polar opposite. To elaborate, he believed that money and luxury items were “illusions of happiness,” and it was the harsh journey across the American landscape that gave his life meaning. This made me realize that the “tricks to life” books that are commonplace in society miss the point. Someone else’s formula for success will not solve my life’s problems, but self-development through virtuous character will actually change my life. Furthermore, the adventure I undertake in life is strictly individual. Although others will help along the way, only I can make the necessary changes to my life. Chris changed his life not by following the path paved by others, but by carving his road himself towards his

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