Leslie Medina

Paul Healy
English 11
April 8,2015

Many people let those around them affect the decisions they make in life. Not enough
people will have the courage to take control of their own life. But the main character from the
book Into the Wild written by Jon Krakauer does that and more. The book is about a young man
named Christopher Johnson Mccandless. In 1992 Chris Mccandless left his suburban home to
take a journey to Alaska. With no money or anyone he knew to help him he found himself on his
own. He walked across the country taking rides from whoever he could. He went on a journey to
disconnect himself from the lifestyle his family wanted to live with nature. Throughout his entire
journey Chris embodied many positive characteristics. Positive Characteristics that were
described in the article American Spirit by Jenny Jedeikin. In the article Jedeikin talks about all
these characteristics that an American has because the mythology of the U.S. is in their soul.
There are people who believe that Chris didnt represent the true American Spirit. Maybe its
because people didnt like Chris or they focused on one specific event in his life that they
disagreed with. The way Jenny Jedeikin describes the American Spirit is a clear representation of
Chris Mccandless characteristics during his journey to Alaska.
Chris perseverance to go across the country by himself having just left his entire life
behind exhibits how he represented the true American Spirit. In the article American Spirit Jenny
Jedeikin describes a man who demonstrated perseverance as well as optimism, You see a guy
who really didnt give up... I think this type of optimism and perseverance embodies the
American Spirit(Jedeikin). Chris was similar to the man described in American Spirit because
he refused to give up even when times got tough. There were many situations in which Chris

didnt have it easy but one in particular was when he finally made it to Alaska. When in Alaska
the reality of how difficult surviving would be sunk in, he had difficulty killing game, and the
daily journal entries... included Weakness, and Disaster (Krakauer 164). Some would
probably assume that if Chris was weak and having a bewildering time he would leave. But
Chris persevered and whether he considered it or not he was optimistic. He kept trying to catch
food until June 9 , he bagged the biggest prize of all [a]MOOSE!(Krakauer 166). Chris
Mccandless determination to continue despite all the obstacles is what made him out of all
people show the true American Spirit.
Being able to have perseverance and optimism throughout his journey to Alaska gave
Chris the ability to have freedom and independence. America is based on everyone having
freedom and being able to live their life. In the American Spirit Jedeikin says freedom and
independence is what truly captures the American person (Jedeikin). Being free to live life the
way a person desires as well as being able to do it on their own is what truly captures the
American Spirit. The biggest reason why Chris story is talked about is because he lived life the
way he wanted. He had an education and a stable life but when he knew he wasnt doing what
truly made him happy he changed it. In Into the Wild it explains that Chris spent four years of his
life in college even though it wasnt what he wanted. After he completed college to make his
parents happy he was unencumbered from the stifling world...a world in which he felt
grievously cut off from the raw throb of existence (Krakauer 22). After spending so much time
unhappy Chris decided to be the director of his life and made the decision to go to Alaska. On his
own with the help of no one else he made it his mission to accomplish his journey. The biggest
characteristics of the true American Spirit are the hardest ones for people to have. It isnt easy for
people to do what they want with their life and not depend on others to help or tell them what to

do. But Chris realized that it was his life and that to be happy he needed to make his own goals
even if people didnt agree. Not everyone has the courage to be free to do what they want and not
depend on others for it but when someone like Chris Mccandless can its clear he symbolize the
American Spirit.
Its obvious that not everyone will agree that Chris embodied the true American Spirit.
Some people dont agree with the choices Chris made and argue that he was an idiot. But there is
a big difference in not agreeing with him and denying that he embodied if not all most of the
characteristics that a person with true American Spirit has. There are people who also thought
Chris wasnt caring. In American Spirit it talks about people who care about those around them
like their family. Many of the reasons why its said that Chris wasnt caring is because of the way
he left his family. He left without telling them anything and people say it was very cruel of him.
But the reality is just because Chris left his parents without saying a word doesnt mean he didnt
care about them. The main reason he left without notifying his family was because he knew they
wouldnt accept his decision. But he cared about them especially his sister. He even cared about
people that werent even related to him. Chris touched so many peoples lives especially an old
man known as Franz. Franz had lost his wife and son and ended up finding comfort in Chris.
Even though Franz wasnt part of Chris family he warmed to the old-timer, and the two engaged
in a long conversation(Krakauer 51). Franz is one of the many people who Chris cared about
just like they did for him. Even if Chris left his life behind to do what he wanted to it doesnt
mean he didnt care about those who cared about him. Sometimes you have to do whats best for
your happiness even if that means leaving behind those you love.
Having the true American spirit may not come easy for many. It isnt effortless to have
perseverance or optimism. When times get hard it becomes a challenge for one to push through.

Even though continuing wasnt easy for Chris he persevered and was optimistic that he would
make it to Alaska. Its also extremely challenging for people to live their life the way want.
People are constantly being judged and sometimes people dont live life fully like they want. But
Chris managed to not let the opinions of society or his family stop him from being happy. Even if
agreeing with Chris' life isnt easy it should be acknowledged that the reason he was able to
make it to Alaska was because he represented all the characteristics of the true American spirit.

Work Cited
Jenny Jedeikn "American Spirit." ND.2.
Krakauer, Jon. Into the Wild. New York: Anchor, 1997. Print.