Similarities Between Walden And Chris Mccandless

Henry David Thoreau and Chris McCandless believe Transcendentalism is a way of life instead of just a religious concept. Transcendentalism is a concept that focuses on pleasing the self before others. Many people believe that one must venture into the wild in order to become a transcendentalist. Thoreau and McCandless both had similar views on the idea of Transcendentalism. Thoreau and McCandless both believe in individualism and doing things the way they want to. In Into the Wild, Walt and Billie recalled a PTA meeting where the teacher commented on Chris’s behavior “His teacher pulled us aside and told us that ‘Chris marches to a different drummer.’ She just shook her head.” (Krakauer,107). Chris had always done the things he wanted to do even at an early age. Chris was more of a leader than a follower. In Walden, Thoreau says, “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer,” (Walden). Thoreau understands that if a man wants to be unique, he must break free from the uniformity of society. He believes in doing what he wants to do, how he wants to do it. A man might consider himself free once he ventures into nature and away from civilization, however, he will risk his wellbeing by venturing by himself.

In Into the Wild, Carine recalls Chris’s daredevil antics by saying “Chris didn’t think twice about risking his own life,” (Krakauer,128). It is clear that Chris is focused on enjoying life instead of fearing death. He does not hesitate to do something if he really wants to do it. Thoreau speaks on his recklessness by saying “Perhaps it seemed to me that I had several more lives to live, and could not spare any more time for that one.” (Walden). Thoreau realizes that he took risks for a thrill. He felt as if he could not die. A man does not need to be wealthy to live a successful