Who Was Responsible For Chris Mccandless's Death

How Responsible is Chris McCandless for his Death?

Chris McCandless was a young man who attempted to escape the firm grasp of society, and to do so he embarked on unaccompanied hike into the Alaskan wilderness. In the novel Into the Wild written by Jon Krakauer, the author narrates Chris’s excursion into solitude, and the effects of his actions. Chris McCandless is mostly responsible for his death in the Alaskan wilderness.

Some people believe that Chris is not responsible for his death. In attempt to eat, Chris ingested a poisonous plant, which led to his death. He was completely innocent, and along with many other scientists did not know this particular plant harnessed a poisonous aspect. Secondly, Chris ventured into the wilderness in attempt to escape from his abusive parents. He wanted to live his life to the fullest, and he just happened to receive the

misfortune of dying on his excursion.

Finally, supporters claim that Chris was not liable for the river rising. This is also one of the contributing reasons why he died, because he cannot return home, and he needed this route to bring him back to civilization.

Chris McCandless was over confident in himself and his capabilities, along with being ill prepared for his journey. Considering the climate and other factors, Chris was not properly prepared for going in to the Alaskan wilderness. Along with his admirable traits, “his ignorance which could have been cured by a uses quadrant and boy scout manual, was what killed him” (72). Chris McCandless was given many things from his hitchhiking friends, because people saw that he was not prepared. Now, how can someone tramp into the wilderness and survive without basic supplies? Chris McCandless did not listen to many people, and in the end he paid for it. Next, Chris McCandless had insufficient

provisions and equipment. Told by many people are worried about him, “he lacked certain pieces of equipment deemed essential by many Alaskans; a large caliber rifle, map, and a compass” (180). A major part of survival is eating food that will keep one warm and provide energy. The gun Chris had was not able to hunt these large animals, and without fuel he cannot carry out his every day tasks that he needed to fulfill for survival. This further argues he was mostly responsible because it was his decision to not prepare himself for the challenges he will face in the future. Furthermore, Chris also set the bar for himself too high, and he cold not keep up. John Krakauer states that “[Chris] demanded too much of himself – more, in the end then he could deliver” (184). Chris McCandless thought of himself to superior to others than what he really was. He should have mentally and physically prepared himself more because when he pushed himself to the limit, it was catastrophic. He is responsible for this because he should have studied more and learned about what he would be expecting in the wilderness, and to be prepared for the worst.
Chris McCandless was not aware of the wilderness’ dangerousness and he lacks quality friendships. In his college years, Chris did not have strong friendships to help him through college and years to come. According to Krakauer, “A professor gave him a key for after-hours to access the library, where he spent much of his free time” (124). Chris is responsible in this aspect because if he had more of a social life he would not be as lonely, and perhaps preventing him from going on his excursion in the first place. In college, people meet a lot of new people, and surrounding themselves with good people is a huge part. If Chris would have done this, he would not be so self-centered; and this is ultimately his fault for not opening up and spreading his wings. Next, Chris believes that he was next to invincible. Walt, Chris's father, states that “Chris was fearless, he didn’t think the odds applied to him” (109). Chris took many chances in his life ever since his childhood. Is taking risks good? This questions’ answer differs with people, but Chris’s risks were too great to be taken. He did not understand the effects of his actions, and thus he is responsible for not limiting himself to what he is capable to. Finally, Chris was unaware of a plants’ toxicity. Ron Hamilton states that the plant that ultimately killed McCandless is “H.alpiumum seeds are poisonous, and that an amino acid, is a toxic constituent” (212). The leading factor of his death is H.alpiumum seeds, and the seeds made him starve and not be able to gather food due to their strong power to disable a person temporarily and make them weak. This is his fault because he should have researched more about the plants and the difference between edible and poisonous. In this case, he should have done more research to discover that the seeds were poisonous and he could still be alive. Who enters the wilderness not knowing the difference between a poisonous plant and an edible plant?