There comes a time in everyone’s lives when freedom is highly sought after. As people strive for their freedom, there are many factors that can change their mind about the coveted independence that they seek, on of which is other people’s opinions. In Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild, Henry David Thoreau’s Walden, and Werner Herzog’s Grizzly Man, each protagonist has to deal with opposing opinions while making their decision to live outdoors. Although it is important to listen to other people’s opinions, an individual’s ultimate decision should not be swayed by others.
The protagonist of Into the Wild, Christopher McCandless, strives for his independence from his parents’ overbearing control, and he decides that his best option to escape is by going to the Alaskan Frontier and live there. As McCandless travels around the country to get to his ultimate destination, he becomes acquainted with several people that attempt to deter him from going to Alaska Frontier. Jim Gallien, the last person to talk to Chris, attempts to dissuade him by describing how “The rivers are big and fast. The mosquitos eat you alive. Most places, there aren’t a lot of animals to hunt. Livin’ in the bush isn’t no picnic.” (Krakauer 5).
…show more content…
Throughout the documentary, the viewers get a better understanding of Timothy’s mentality as they progress through his video diaries. Part of his mentality is discovered when he says “The kind warrior must become a samurai. Must become so, so formidable, so fearless of death, so strong that he will win.”(Herzog). It is revealed here that Treadwell has a sense of morality and understands what he is doing. Although his family and girlfriend oppose his mentality, Timothy does not allow his decision to influenced by the opinions of