Chris McCandless, the main character of Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, leaves his family, identity, money and much more to pursue his dream of living in the wild. But why does he do it? Chris is searching for his true self. Although very smart Chris grew up with a difficult childhood. He wants to escape his past, leave his family and start something new. His numerous tests of both his physical and mental abilities are proof of his determination. Simplifying and doing what he wants was what he knew he had to do to make the most out of his life. Chris’ relationship with his parents is not good, this was one reason why he went on his journey. He refuses gifts from the family during his graduation which upsets his father. Chris doesn't understand why his dad would buy him a new car when he already has a car, it enrages chris. The relationship with his father is especially strained compared to his mother and sister. Chris is …show more content…
He spends a few months preparing, learning all he can about hunting, edible plants, etc, and then he leaves South Dakota, where he’d been working, and hitchhikes to Fairbanks. Those who he tells about the plan all warn him that he needs to be better prepared, or should wait until later in the spring, but he is adamant and stubborn as usual. He spends the next sixteen weeks hunting, reading, and living in a deserted bus made to be a shelter for hunters, not seeing a single human the entire time. He is successful for the most part, although he loses significant weight. In late July, McCandless eats some moldy seeds, and the mold contains a poison that causes him to starve to death, no matter how much he eats, he is too weak to gather food anyway. His dream, is what killed him but this is what he