Living the Dream Without Them

John Paul Navarro 1019352 Enver Creek Secondary School Instructor: Mr. VanHulsentop English 11 Honours 7 November 2011

The term bayanihan in the Philippine culture refers to the spirit that exists within a community that urges everyone to cooperate in order to achieve a certain goal. While there are tasks that can be done alone, there are some that deliver disastrous consequences if they are done without the support of others. This spirit is evident in Sean Penns film, Into the Wild, as Christopher McCandless meets various people that showed him kindness, hospitality and love that his parents failed to provide; they become his friends and surrogate family, therefore supporting him during his voyage to Alaska. Being a fun and outgoing person, Chris enjoys the company of his new friends, as they do with him. They grow to care for him and try their best to help. Chris, however, is determined to reach Alaska, and continues to set out on his own disregarding their care for him. Through Chriss choice of completely detaching himself from society, Into the Wild exposes the usefulness and importance of human relationship, as well as the negative outcome of severing all human connection.

The words of Roger Ebert, sometimes we must depend on the kindness of strangers, remind us that there a single person is simply not enough to accomplish everything. Attempting to reach Alaska without transportation, money, or proper equipment to survive the wilderness is one of them. In his hurry to leave society, Chris fails to think his plan through, making delays inevitable, delays that lead him to meeting Alex Supertramps new acquaintances. His new companions welcome him and are willing to help him by any means that they can; they lighten Chriss journey by providing him with whatever they can. Aside from hitch hiking, Chris does not ask Jan, Rainey, Wayne, or Ron anything more. It is them that offer the job, the money and the equipment to Chris only for the reason that he has become an important person in their life after the few days they have spent together. They all enjoy his company; they relate to him, so

therefore they want to help him get to his destination. Without the help of these people, it might have been impossible for Chris to get anywhere near Alaska.

Although happiness can be found in many places, one of the major sources of joy lies in interaction with another being. It is a puzzling action for Chris to run away from society when he is someone who takes obvious pleasure in socializing with others. His sudden departure, caused by his view of society, a place of full of corruption and hypocrites, destroys the relationships he had and established during his 20 years at home. He plans to pursue the life of ultimate freedom, away from the evil influences of society. He assumes that paradise can be found in isolation, something he relates to Ron Franz, But youre wrong if you think that the joy of life comes principally from human relationships. Gods placed it all around us. Its in everything... This is true to some extent, happiness can be found anywhere but so can people. During Chriss final days in Alaska, however, he realizes that isolation is actually depressing. As he spends his final hours alone in the magic bus, he writes the words, happiness only real when shared, which completely contradicts his earlier belief. At that moment he knows how to attain true happiness. He is living in Alaska, just as he wanted, free from society. Yet, he is lonely. Before his life ends, he discovers the importance of companionship and the huge role it plays when one is looking for fulfillment.

In difficult times, the normal measure for a troubled person is to retreat to a family member or a friend in hopes to find comfort and solution. Since Chris chooses to abandon everything he has, the choice to turn to these relationships disappears and so does his chance to survive Alaska. His death may have been averted if he had someone with him during his ordeal;

his choice of a confined lifestyle proves to be dangerous after a few weeks, as he faces the crushing reality of his starvation. The incident with the caribou, for example, which he describes to be one of the greatest tragedies of [his] life, leaves him bitter. Starving, he becomes extremely frustrated when maggots start crawling on the meat. As he is lacking in time and experience, he does not prepare the meat properly. As a result of extreme hunger, he resorts to eating berries and seeds, and accidentally eats the poisonous 1potato seeds, leaving him even weaker. It is times like this when relationships are so helpful, as it is at our vulnerable state that we need friends the most. Going alone into the unforgiving condition of Alaska, there is no way Chris could have survived it.

Christopher is a fool for taking his friends and family for granted something he realizes during his dying moment. These relationships make life more enjoyable and easier; Christopher might have been living his dream by escaping society in Alaska but in actuality it filled him with hardship and depression. Relationships are essential in life; challenges do not just block destinations to test ones capabilities, they consolidate relationships with friends and family members through cooperation and support. Life becomes worthwhile if bonds are nurtured well; and if they are nurtured really well, lifelong friendships develop.

In Krakauers book Into the Wild, it stated that the mold in the seeds might have caused the poisoning.
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Works Cited Into the Wild, Dir. Sean Penn. 2007. DVD. Paramount Vintage, USA. Ebert, Roger. "Into the Wild: Off the Road." Rogerebert.com :: Movie Reviews, Essays and the Movie Answer Man from Film Critic Roger Ebert. 27 Sept. 2007. Web. <http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070927/REVIEWS/709270305>.