Chris McCandless: Hero?
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Cynical attitude toward society; the government; rules
Educated; intelligent
Unmaterialistic; longed for simplicity
Dissatisfied with life; society
Search for something pure; freedom – not possible in society
Thoughtful; philosophical
Search for self and goodness in society
Restless
Wild – means to find happiness; place in the world – eventually he would “settle down”; write… means to find his voice
Search for truth – Thoreau – “kill the false being within”
Realizing “truths” / reality about the government and his family (father had another family) lies and
control; lack of control he felt he had in his life drove him away
Parents; driven by money, success; status and appearances – he feared becoming like this – drove
him away and “into the wild
Determined; perseverance - stubborn??
Irony – social
Selfish?; self absorbed?
Goal-oriented; isolated himself from others who were “distractions” from his goal
End realizes – “happiness is only real when shared with others”
Irony – donates to OXFAM – dies of starvation
Lost in society – lose himself in the wild -; find himself in the wild - find a place back in society
Created an identity for himself – “Alex Supertramp”
Survivor; able to survive in society with (almost) nothing
Traits of a Hero?
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Embark on a journey / quest
Faces tests and trials
Overcomes obstacles
Has a goal – quest to fulfill that goal
Guide; sage; helpers – assist the hero in fulfilling their quest / goal
Faces a “supreme ordeal” – climactic “battle” that the hero must overcome to achieve quest and
find “ultimate boon” – gift – knowledge or understanding
Noble birth; unusual birth (exceptional)
Rebirth / transformation
Leave society (cross threshold into another world);
Return to society
Traits
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Loyal
Courageous; brave
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Strong sense of justice / what is right or fair
Good; loving
determined