Essay On Chris Mccandless

An American figure is someone who portrays bravery, individualism, and is someone who strongly believes in the contentment within him or her before others. Also, many American tend to more future-oriented. Meaning, we as Americans believe in setting goals for ourselves, and working toward them. (What Are Major and Defining Characteristics of Americans? 2015”) In the book Into The Wild, the main character Chris Mccandless, known formerly as Alex Mccandless, shows the many characteristics of what it means to live as an American within the American Culture. However, there are also many ways McCandless show rebellion toward Americanism. Although overall the culture of America lives in uniformity, there are still many that like to show their uniqueness
Throughout life we are taught that achievement and success is essential to our happiness. Most Americans presume that achievement and success is presenting scholarliness and attaining good jobs; Many Americans are very focused on their careers. It seems to me that many Americans tend to be very focused on their careers for the same outcome, money. The value of money is very emphasized in the American culture, which is why we tend to be focused on our jobs and careers. However, Chris McCandless did not see money as a valuable possession. In fact, before going on his fatal journey to Alaska, he donated his entire college fund to a charity called OXFAM America, which was a charity dedicated to fighting hunger (Krakauer, 20). Ironically, Chris’s cause of death came from starvation. Chris’s willingness to give away his entire college fund before his journey exemplifies the differences in what he values vs. what Americans value. Chris values happiness also, however his happiness was not reliant on money, his happiness was reliant on the feeling of independence, which is also something American’s value. Chris’s urge to feel independent just happened to be more extreme than