“Into the Wild” is a film by director Sean Penn. Actor Emile Hirsch portrays Chris McCandless, also known as "Alexander Supertramp.” The film follows a young Chris McCandless through his journey in the wild. He rejects society's norms and ventures into the wilderness in search of pure existence He is referred to as a transcendentalist. The idea of transcendentalism came from Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. They were two prominent American writers and philosophers of the 19th century who were deeply interested in the relationship between humanity and nature. Emerson was known for his essays and speeches that explored topics such as self-reliance, individualism, and the power of nature. Thoreau, on the other hand, is famous for his …show more content…
He believes that conformity and reliance on tradition and society stifles creativity and innovation, and it is only by trusting oneself that individuals can truly achieve greatness. Emerson stresses the importance of self-reliance as a means to avoid conformity and to live a fulfilled life. He encourages readers to embrace their own individuality and to avoid seeking validation from others. Emerson's ideas are a call to action for individuals to take control of their own lives and to trust in their own abilities and ideas. “In the woods too, a man casts off his years, as the snake his slough,” (Emerson 29). This is what Christopher was searching for when he went into the woods, inspired by Emerson's …show more content…
It emphasizes the power of the individual to connect with a divine source and the importance of nature, intuition, and imagination. Characteristics of transcendentalism include a focus on individualism, self-reliance, and nonconformity. Transcendentalists believed that people should trust their own inner voice and not follow conventional wisdom or societal expectations. “I find it wholesome to be alone the greater part of the time.” ( Henry David. Thoreau, Walden) Overall, transcendentalism sought to promote personal growth, freedom, and a deeper understanding of the world and our place in