Character Analysis Of Santiago In Into The Wild, By Jon Krakauer

In this book, the main character's name was Santiago. As a young boy, his father had dreams for him, but Santiago had different ambitions for himself. Instead of becoming a priest, the boy told his father that he wanted to travel the world and become a shepherd. Sometimes, people have to stand up to their parents and tell them what they want to do with their life. Parents can help guide one’s life, but they cannot control his/her life. Likewise, in the book Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, Chris McCandless decides to ignore his father’s dreams for him and follow his own dreams. (105 words).
I thought it was extremely peculiar that Santiago had the same dream exactly one year apart. Not only did he have the same dream, but Santiago woke up at the same moment during both of the dreams. I think the author might be using the literary device of foreshadowing. Perhaps, there actually is a treasure hidden at the Egyptian pyramids, and the boy has to travel to find it. (69 words).
Throughout life, people will have to make decisions everyday whether it is important or inessential. In this book, Santiago is deciding whether he should follow his “Personal Legend” (what one has always wanted to accomplish), or
Weather remembering/regretting what has happened, or planning/worrying about what might happen, the past and future steal away our attention from the present. We become mentally absent forgetting to experience what is happening right here and right now. I believe that this is related to the theme in this novel which is that people should live in the present. Life unfolds in the present. The present is where decisions are made and emotions are felt. People should give it the attention it deserves. The great philosopher Buddha once stated, “The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn the past, worry about the future, but live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.” (131