Just yesterday I began reading Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. The biography surrounds Chis McCandless or as he later changes his name to Alex Supertramp who leaves his wealthy life behind to travel across North America with little money and equipment. Only 36 pages through, I am infatuated by this man and his journey.
Alex (Chris) is a man built on principle. It’s hard to believe he once lived, for his life is such a story which seems can only be created by a brilliant author.
Born into wealth, he is irritated by the materialism and uselessness of high class, of money and society. And though many of us agree with his frustration, most of us suppress our feelings. But alex lives by what he believes is natural. He refuses to accept and give presents. What he has is perfectly adequate, and adequate is all you truly need. Why? because true existence is found beyond the paraphernalia that you possess. Alex, I believe, departed on a journey to find an authentic connection.
His epic odyssey to Alaska may appear radical to most but I myself find it heroic. Although as of now and I am quite young, too young to already have a plan, my future is well mapped out . I’ll become a strong doctor, get married, have children and retire. Boring? Absolutely. Deep down inside, at the pit of me, I wish to venture to England. But not to London! I want to go to the vacant part of England where the long stretches of hills are and where the small towns lay. Just for a year or so, but it interferes with my plan so greatly that it cannot to done. What fears me greatly is the insecurity of the unknown future, unplanned, rugged, raw. So that dream, I believe, will always remain as imaginary. That is why Alex was so brave, so strong, so righteous. He feared not the hazy future, nor worried of it’s contents but rather decided to live each day as authentic and free as one could.
Although McCandless' death ensued due to his choice to live in the wild –which may present a theme within itself–, Alex Supertramp stands strong next to Holden Caulfield as my ultimate hero.
I don't know if my feelings will persist throughout the story, as often they change, but as of now all I wish to do it complete the book. With luck, either by today or tomorrow.
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