In chapters 8-10 John Krakauer diverged from Alexander Supertramp’s quest and did something very interesting. He found several individuals who chose the same reckless, transcendental, traveler’s life style. These McCandless-esque wonderers hoped to reach the same destination, to leave behind their past in order to reach a higher place spiritually and recreate themselves. Their stories mirror Chris’s, starting full of potential and endless possibilities only to end with a painful clarity and loss. These other travelers are proof that Chris was not the first to have this stirring feeling within him. Many others have paved the way before him, searching for the same unreachable dream. All were fueled by the limitless, romantic possibilities that awaited them in the wild. They all wished to seek life out, capture it, and find its inner meaning.
Like Chris as well, many shed their birth names and reinvented themselves, finding a name that better suits the person they are now. A name essentially is who you are. It is a quick way to identify someone, it is your label. Over the course of your life, you will become your name and your name will become you. It only makes sense that these quest seekers, who want to forget their past and recreate who they are, would naturally rename themselves as a way to reclaim their identity.
Also like Chris, these explorers were thrill seekers only wanting to uncover the truths behind life. Although they may have made reckless decisions which eventually cost them their lives, they should be admired. Their courage to walk away from what was comfortable and into the unknown with that small chance to find what they are “looking for” is admirable. I am not saying that everyone should shed their identity and venture out into the wilderness to find their purpose and meaning. However, I do believe there is a lesson that can be taken from these characters. One should not be afraid of the unknown. Face it as you choose, but it is something which should be embraced and challenged.
Happy Trails
'One should not be afraid of the unknown." Very true statement, Shayna. How many of us have blocked off possibilities in our lives due to the fear of the "what ifs?" Although we see some extreme examples in these selected chapters, there certainly is an admiration that we feel as these individuals lived their lives according to their own dictates. Great reflection!
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