Main Ideas

Idealism of Youth vs Materialism

Into the Wild is the story of a young, idealist man, perceived as reckless and arrogant, who denounces American materialism. Chris donated all his money to charity and decided to set on an Alaskan odyssey, He favored experiencing nature that indulged in material comforts. During the course of his journey, Chris changes his name to Alex Supertramp, literally cutting off ties with his family. He meets new people and forges deep bonds with them. The kindness of these strangers helps him during his adventures. Even though Chris dies an untimely death, he is able to realize his dream to live close to nature without being dependent on material things.

Chris’ heroes are also writers and thinkers who were idealists. The anecdote about Chris’ disappointment in his father’s untrusting ways is proof of his idealism..

Chris’ proclivities have to be weighed against the society that he was a part of. American dreams mostly included the promise of wealth, a reflection of the capitalistic society that Chris lived in. In a world where material success is most celebrated, it is a brave choice to follow your heart.

His heroes such as Leo Tolstoy believed that one’s fulfillment should come from working hard and being committed to a cause rather than from luxury and wealth. This is reflected in Chris’ philosophy that one should not own more than what can be carried on one’s own back. Chris’ tragic end raises questions around the sustainability of leading a life filled with idealism.

The Imagination of American Wilderness

Jack London’s Call of the Wild is alluded to in Jon Krakauer’s title of this work as well as Chris’ invocation to London’s descriptions of the wilderness as the space of self-discovery and freedom. In Chris’ desire for these things, the Alaskan wild becomes a space he seeks and glorifies.

The wilderness, being in direct contrast with civilization, denoted danger and mystery as well as posed challenge to humans. Living in the wild is not always comfortable and no amount of wealth holds any significance when one is trapped there. Chris is seduced by this space where freedom is abundant and not compromised by expectations of familial or societal bondages.

Krakauer honors Chris by sharing his own adventure with Devil’s Thumb. Krakauer believed that climbing the mountain could significantly change his life for the better. In the wake of adverse circumstances during the climb, Krakauer decides to quit. Unlike Chris, Krakauer realizes that passion and ambition were not enough to realize this dream.

Krakauer’s account of other men who responded to the call of the wilderness gives an insight into the mindset of people who give up their comfort to venture into nature. However, it also highlights the unforgiving and brutal parts of nature.

Relationships

There are two kinds of relationships foregrounded in this novel: Chris’ relationships with various people he met on his journey and Chris’ relationship with himself. The interplay between these two kinds of relationship creates the network of tension in Krakauer’s portrayal of Chris’ life.

Firstly, Chris’ relationship with his father is shared in detail, especially while narrating the story where Chris’ finds out about his father’s infidelity. After that incident, Chris becomes aloof and distant and decides to never confront his father about it. The author suggests that this is what led Chris to break away from his family and create a life of his own, where he’s one with nature. While Walt is unable to fix the relationship while Chris is alive, he shares a note for future travelers at the site of Chris’ demise, encouraging them to talk to their parents. Krakauer also talks about his relationship with his father and how that might have had a part to play in his decision to pursue mountain climbing. Chris shares beautiful relationships with the people he meets, especially Jan, Ronald, Gail, and Wayne. It would not be an exaggeration to assert that he made some relationships that he cherished on the way to his great Alaskan adventure.

Chris’ relationship with himself is redefined once he sets on this journey of adventure. He calls himself Alexander Supertramp and prefers that the strangers he meets on the road know him through that name because he wants to break free from the life he had led up till then. He wants to carve his own niche rather than live to fulfill his family’s expectations.

These two layers intersect and interact when Ronald tells Chris that he’d like to adopt him. Instead of being overjoyed at this possibility, Chris evades the question and chooses to remind Ronald that he wants to lead a nomadic life and suggests that Ronald should do the same.