Chris McCandless looked up to Henry David Thoreau’s ideas in his Walden excerpt. John Krakauer went on to make McCandless’ journey a novel of its own. However, Chris McCandless and Henry David Thoreau’s ideas on how one should live their life didn’t always compare as much as contrast. Thoreau does not like the outdoors as much as Chris does, “I left the woods for as good a reason as I went there. Perhaps it seemed to me that I had several more lives to live, and could not spare any more time for that one” (Walden). This would not be the case for Chris; he would have rather lived in the woods. Although he does not like the being in the outdoors, Thoreau enjoys Nature from the inside, “In those driving northeast rains which tried the village houses so, when the maids stood ready with mop and pail in front entries to keep the deluge out, I sat behind my door in my little house, which was all entry, and thoroughly enjoyed its protection” (Walden). Thoreau enjoys watching nature’s gifts unlike Chris who would rather be outdoors. …show more content…
Chris is more outgoing here than most people and clearly didn’t think of how dangerous his decision could’ve been. He also goes without human contact longer than usual, “He had not seen or talked to another soul in thirty-six days” (Krakauer 36). This however doesn’t bother him like it would most people. Although his behavior may seem strange, Chris’ message can be inspiring, “As for me, I’ve decided that I’m going to live this life for some time to come. The freedom and simple beauty of it is just too good to pass up” (Krakauer 33). Although his life style may seem different, Chris’ reason for it is quite