"Into The Wild" Transcendentalism Essay 

Have you ever experience a thought about the Purpose in life and why do things have to happen a certain way. The Purpose of life is not just to be happy. It’s to be useful, to be honest, to be honored,to be compassionate ,and to think differently and make different experiences in life that you haven’t lived before. At one point of life you have felt transcendentalism, the outcome of this feeling that is acted upon something or someone.The fame of friendship is not always the outstretched hand, not the friendly smile,nor the joy of happiness; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes your way whenever you discover that someone truly believes in you and has the whole faith in trusting your action and who you really are. We have to see the valued principles over the friends we have, the allure of danger ,the forgiveness, the ultimate freedom and the relationship we have with one another. The heroes of Chris McCandless were not, neither different neither similar from each other. Henry David Thoreau, Leo Tolstoy, and Jack London were all considered close friends and open minded toward McCandless.They were all greatly influence men toward the moral principles and his aspirations to the journey that inspired him to write this good book “Into the Wild”.

Christopher McCandless was an compassionate young man that was inspired by three men throughout his journey to Alaska.He was an American adventurous man that loved nature and explore other states. He was born in Southern California. Chris grew up with wealthy parents that cared for what he did. He lives in an anti-materialism and gives all his money to charity to help them rather than help himself up. He cared more for other people than himself. He states “How I feed myself is none of the government’s business.Fuck their rules.”McCandless did not care about the government’s opinion towards him and the rules that the government gave or him to follow.He didn’t want to be known anywhere.He was self-reliant and Independent. He wouldn’t need any obstacle with him to protect him throughout his journey. Throughout his book he said “The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences,and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon,for each day to have a new and different sun.” This young man thought that life came from our own experiences and the adventures that you pass through in life.

The First hero that McCandless admired was Henry David Thoreau. He was an American philosopher and a poetry. Thoreau was best known for his own beliefs in transcendentalism.He was born and raised in Concord, Massachusetts.The fact that Henry was not born into an affluent family made him bright and still keep going in his own life and keep on trying. Henry was always a giving advice men that liked to talk to people about their problems. Henry once stated “The language of friendship is not words but meanings.” His point of view of this quote is that a true friend is a friend that is always there for you when you need them; through the hardest days in your life.A friend that stands up for you and that you can count on whenever you fall down. They would always help you through the days you need it. He also states “No man ever followed his genius till it misled him.Though the result were bodily weakness,yet perhaps no one can say that the consequences were to be regretted.” Henry would always forego normal existence and experiences in life and the sublime beauty of nature.All these steps that McCandless would go through Henry david there would also past through his his life.

Leo Tolstoy was also an outgoing hero that McCandless maintained as a close friend. Leo was a Russian author who wrote many books about war and peace. He was born in Tula Province, Russia. He grew up in a rich family that would give him everything he needed.He was best known for his principles on nonviolent resistance.McCandless was really fascinated toward this guy because he was a very interesting author that influenced McCandless life. He states “The strongest of all warriors are these two-Time and Patience.McCandless was influenced by Leo through his inspirational thought that were given to himself. He believed that they both had the same characteristics and they connected well with one another. He believed that no one has to change how someone looks or acts.As he states “I don’t need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod;my shadow does that much better.” Someone that changes the way you act or how you dress are not real friends.The ones that support you for who you are, those are the main ones. Leo was a guy that never stood quiet.He would always think better of himself than thinking negatively.

Jack London was an outspoken American author and journalist.He was best known as writing novels about the adventures and the wild. He was born in San Francisco California. Jack Landon was born into a painful situation.His parents were not taking good care of him and not being parental figures toward his life. He grew up working as a window washer,the california fish patrol, the type of jobs that involve working 12 to 18 hours of shift and little pay. London began his career as a triumph because he wasn’t able to graduate from UC Berkeley because he was never able to support himself or have anyone to support who he was. Jack would always love to travel and get to experience places that he hasn’t been too.Once he said “There is nothing more important than this moment.” He would always want to enjoy his life.Always enjoy the moment that you are in because you would never be able to go back or have another moment like this.London didn’t really like to waste any time and he liked to get every minute in time and be on top of his staff.He saw nature as a cold and careless force that people may see as beautiful. He would always think to himself “Do you know the value of life and as if it is in front of you.” His point toward this quote was that the value of life is around you and the little things you do.

The qualities that McCandless constantly exhibited led to give him so much respect toward these men that gave him a hand. Friends that always pick you up whenever you fall down.These types of friends are the friends to look out for. McCandless states “ Surround yourself with those who share your energy.”He is trying to say to choose your friends wisely,Know who are the ones that are going to give you a hand whenever you fall down.Have the friends that give you good vibes and share the same energy as you do to them.He also states “I’m going to paraphrase Thoreau here…rather than love, than money, than faith, than fame , than fairness… give me truth.” He wanted the truth to come out from his own friends than getting something back.

People would always criticize you in things that you have trouble doing. They would have negative things to say towards your dreams and goals.This may be a way to assert power and social control.One of McCandless hero points out “Follow your intuition,it will always lead to the right destination.” This means to always follow the path that you want to take in life; one that would give you the right choice and have a future for yourself.You have to always think positive toward yourself and don’t listen to what other people have to say about you. Jack London states “The proper function of man is to live,not to exist.I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them.I shall use my time.” Jack was a on time men that didn’t like to waste any of it.He liked to be on his stuff and he inspired Chris McCandless to do the same and not to care what other people had to say about yourself.

Christopher McCandless was inspired by these three main heroes ; Henry David Thoreau, Leo Tolstoy and Jack London.They were all philosopher writers that influenced Chris to process through his moral principles in life.They all gave Chris a positive vibe to keep on going with his life and never give up on what his dreams are. All three men were strong figures that helped Chris on his journey to Alaska.Taking your own path and leaving a trail may be beneficial for you rather than going toward the path that others are followed by. Always have patience and time toward the dreams you are dreaming about. It’s important to choose your friends wisely.They are like the baking powder in your dough, that lift you up when you are down

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