Chris Mccandless Transcendentalism Analysis
Transcendentalism focuses on abstract concepts such as minimalism, individualism, and anti-materialism, and places emphasis on breaking society’s standards and living a “pure” lifestyle. The individuals who embrace transcendentalism express the qualities through interactions with others and with nature. One individual who fits the description is Chris McCandless, a man who viewed modern life with distaste to the extent of abandoning his former life, family, and friends in favor of adventure. The traits he exhibited and the actions he chose strongly reflected transcendental values, and because he portrayed these traits so well, he serves as a beacon to everyone what a transcendentalist should aspire to be.
For instance, McCandless expressed …show more content…
McCandless rarely felt a need for money, and he even avoided it at times. For example, he spent a period of time working for a man named Wayne Westerburg on his wheat farm. McCandless was paid around $1,000, but he regretted it. To McCandless, having money facilitated travel, and though it was not a requirement, he still ignored it, as he feared he would be tempted into using it, which would mean his hard work had been for nothing. Additionally, McCandless donated all $25,000 of his college fund to hunger charities, for he decided he would not spend it otherwise. This demonstrates his charitable side, as he knew that there is always someone struggling profoundly in the world. McCandless gave away this vast wealth just before his travels, almost as if he knew he would no longer need it. The charitable and anti-materialistic nature of McCandless expressed his inner transcendental values.
Chris McCandless embodied transcendentalism in a way few have before. He lived the ideals of transcendentalism, such as anti-materialism, love for nature, and individualism to the extreme in an attempt to live life purely. He succeeded in living away from modern society by following these ideals. McCandless strived to break societal standards, and he did so by completely shedding his former identity and his life. For these reasons, McCandless serves as a perfect example of a transcendentalist both physically and
For instance, McCandless expressed …show more content…
McCandless rarely felt a need for money, and he even avoided it at times. For example, he spent a period of time working for a man named Wayne Westerburg on his wheat farm. McCandless was paid around $1,000, but he regretted it. To McCandless, having money facilitated travel, and though it was not a requirement, he still ignored it, as he feared he would be tempted into using it, which would mean his hard work had been for nothing. Additionally, McCandless donated all $25,000 of his college fund to hunger charities, for he decided he would not spend it otherwise. This demonstrates his charitable side, as he knew that there is always someone struggling profoundly in the world. McCandless gave away this vast wealth just before his travels, almost as if he knew he would no longer need it. The charitable and anti-materialistic nature of McCandless expressed his inner transcendental values.
Chris McCandless embodied transcendentalism in a way few have before. He lived the ideals of transcendentalism, such as anti-materialism, love for nature, and individualism to the extreme in an attempt to live life purely. He succeeded in living away from modern society by following these ideals. McCandless strived to break societal standards, and he did so by completely shedding his former identity and his life. For these reasons, McCandless serves as a perfect example of a transcendentalist both physically and