"Death's a fierce meadowlark: but to die having made
Something more equal to the centuries
Than muscle and bone. is mostly to shed weakness.
The mountains are dead stone, the people
Admire or hate their stature, their insolent quitness,
The mountains are not softened or troubled
And a few dead men's thoughts have the same temper."
Then on the back of Chris wrote " I HAVE HAD A HAPPY LIFE AND THANK THE LORD, GOODBYE AND MAY GOD BLESS ALL."(pg 199)
I think Chris might have wanted to die out there. Chris was a smart young fellow and he survived out in the Alaskan wilderness for four months and I think he got familiar with his surroundings, knowing what to eat and not to eat. But when he couldn't cross the river when he wanted, he lost hope and just gave up. The author says "McCandless wasn't some feckless slacker, adrift and confused, racked by existenial despair. But the meaning he wrested from existence lay beyond the comfortable path: McCandless distrusted the value of things that came easily. He demande much of himself." (page 184). Maybe Chris gave up because he didn't know what he ment to people. He was on his own for so long and hadn't really spent much time with anyone in two years. He hadn't had much contact with his family and was mad at his parents, he only really cared for his sister and wasn't sure if his family would take him back. Chris was just a very confused and lost person, he just wanted his life to have meaning and mean something to people, he never realized he meant SO much to so many people. Every person he had ever meet in his life cared about him and wanted the best for him, but he never realized that. He took them for granted. I think Chris didn't realize what he was doing because he was basing everything, every feeling and action on impulses. If he would have stopped and think before he reacted and talk to people about how he felt, then maybe he wouldn't felt the way he did and have made the decisions he made. I think right before Chris died, after reading the quote by Jeffers, that he find peace with himself, he gotten to see Alaska and all the other places he did. He got to meet all the nice people he met and he changed each and everyone of them. He started to realize what he ment to people but realize it was too late, that he was dying. The quote gave him peace in mind and he wrote on the back that he was happy and had a happy life and was thankful to God. Chris' story changed not only his family and friends, but people all over the world, and if Chris could look down open everyone he has impacted, he would be happy because he changed people, had an impact, and had a meaning.
I agree that he was a "lost" person and also that he took people for granted. I feel bad for his family; especially his sister since they were so close. He just got mad at his dad for his past and couldn't get passed it. I think this is a good example of how it isn't good to keep so much negativity inside yourself. When all you do is swallow hate, it burns you up from the inside out. If he could have let go of his anger, then maybe things would have turned out differently. And maybe not.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that at the end of his last breath, Chris was happy. He died happy even though the way he died was terrible. He died of a freak accident. Too bad he's gone, I wonder what would've happen to him had he live.
ReplyDeleteI actually just watch a thing on Animal Planet about Chris McCandless. It's called Back to the Wild. And it explains the book and Chris' story pretty well. I think for the people who are having a hard time understanding the book or those who haven't read the book, should watch it.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the strongest arguments that he wanted or planned to die out in the wild. He was by no means a dim witted boy, people should give him credit for that. The only thing that still holds me up though is that he seemed to have found a meaning to life at the end of the novel when he talks about living life with another. Of course we will never know, but none-the-less very powerful and persuasive post!
ReplyDeleteThanks
ReplyDeleteI think that for the living who knew Chris, to find peace needs to have uplifting thoughts like these. That in the end his death was not for nothing but validated his whole existence.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your ending comments that ultimately Chris' life had considerable meaning. Look at the people who have read the book or watched the movie, talked about life, and finding a purpose. Maybe a few even had an "aha" moment about their own true purpose. I agree, he would be very pleased.
ReplyDeleteYes he would and I believe his family is pleased about the positive impact he has had on people.
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