ITW ESSAY
Alexander Pardo
3/2/12
Humanities
The Dangers of Happiness
Through extreme circumstances one can find risk and danger, but one can also find adventure and meaning in a persons life. The book Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, is a true story about a man named Chris McCandless. Throughout the book Chris expresses his views on society as he travels across the country and eventually goes to the Alaskan wilderness. This novel shows the readers two things; the dangers of following ones dreams and the importance of sharing experiences and happiness with others.
The book shows how pursuing ones dreams can be dangerous. In the words of Wallace Stengnes, “The peculiar thing about Everett Ruess was that he went out and did the things he dreamed about” (Pg 90, Krakauer). Everett Ruess is an adventurer much like Chris McCandless and his complacent risk taking leads him to become inattentive, eventually he disappears in the desert. This shows how dangerous it might be to go out and follow ones dreams because of the fact that Everett died by doing just that. In addition, Chris McCandless writes to his friends Jan Burres and Bob saying, “Hey guys! This is the last communication you shall ever receive from me, I now walk out to live amongst the wild” (Pg 69, Krakauer). Chris McCandless’ dream of going into the wild leads him to his own death. Because of his certainty of not communicating again, it may show why he takes the risk of being unprepared. These examples clearly demonstrate the dangers of following dreams.
The idea of sharing happiness and experiences is viewed as something of importance in the book. For example, Chris McCandless sends many letters to friends including one to a old man who helped Chris named Ronald Franz, it says, “You will be a new man with avast array of new adventures and experiences behind you. Don’t hesitate or allow yourself to make excuses... Just get out and do it. Just get out and do it. You will be very, very glad that you did” (Pg 58, Krakauer). This shows McCandless’ attachment to Ronald through his experience with him by displaying his caring of the old man, he really wants to Ronald to live a better life. Like the author says, Ronald took the advice to heart, his experiences with Chris made him happy so he trusted Chris to guide his life to become better. During his final days of living his dream of being in the wild McCandless notes “HAPPINESS IS ONLY REAL WHEN SHARED” (Pg 189, Krakauer). This exhibits his final realization of what it means to be truly happy by writing this. It shows the importance of this realization by writing this on his death bed, he really believed in it. The importance of sharing experiences and happiness is emphasized especially through these examples.
In the book, Into the Wild, the ideas of following ones dreams can sometimes be dangerous, and the importance of sharing happiness and experiences is greatly expressed. Chris McCandless is a perfect example of these ideas. He died following his dreams, and he eventually feels the sadness of solitude. Everett Ruess also follows his dreams and ends up with a fate much like Chris’. People should always strive to follow their dreams, but try to do so safely. They should always be with others, and make sure their dreams end them up with ones they love.
3/2/12
Humanities
The Dangers of Happiness
Through extreme circumstances one can find risk and danger, but one can also find adventure and meaning in a persons life. The book Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, is a true story about a man named Chris McCandless. Throughout the book Chris expresses his views on society as he travels across the country and eventually goes to the Alaskan wilderness. This novel shows the readers two things; the dangers of following ones dreams and the importance of sharing experiences and happiness with others.
The book shows how pursuing ones dreams can be dangerous. In the words of Wallace Stengnes, “The peculiar thing about Everett Ruess was that he went out and did the things he dreamed about” (Pg 90, Krakauer). Everett Ruess is an adventurer much like Chris McCandless and his complacent risk taking leads him to become inattentive, eventually he disappears in the desert. This shows how dangerous it might be to go out and follow ones dreams because of the fact that Everett died by doing just that. In addition, Chris McCandless writes to his friends Jan Burres and Bob saying, “Hey guys! This is the last communication you shall ever receive from me, I now walk out to live amongst the wild” (Pg 69, Krakauer). Chris McCandless’ dream of going into the wild leads him to his own death. Because of his certainty of not communicating again, it may show why he takes the risk of being unprepared. These examples clearly demonstrate the dangers of following dreams.
The idea of sharing happiness and experiences is viewed as something of importance in the book. For example, Chris McCandless sends many letters to friends including one to a old man who helped Chris named Ronald Franz, it says, “You will be a new man with avast array of new adventures and experiences behind you. Don’t hesitate or allow yourself to make excuses... Just get out and do it. Just get out and do it. You will be very, very glad that you did” (Pg 58, Krakauer). This shows McCandless’ attachment to Ronald through his experience with him by displaying his caring of the old man, he really wants to Ronald to live a better life. Like the author says, Ronald took the advice to heart, his experiences with Chris made him happy so he trusted Chris to guide his life to become better. During his final days of living his dream of being in the wild McCandless notes “HAPPINESS IS ONLY REAL WHEN SHARED” (Pg 189, Krakauer). This exhibits his final realization of what it means to be truly happy by writing this. It shows the importance of this realization by writing this on his death bed, he really believed in it. The importance of sharing experiences and happiness is emphasized especially through these examples.
In the book, Into the Wild, the ideas of following ones dreams can sometimes be dangerous, and the importance of sharing happiness and experiences is greatly expressed. Chris McCandless is a perfect example of these ideas. He died following his dreams, and he eventually feels the sadness of solitude. Everett Ruess also follows his dreams and ends up with a fate much like Chris’. People should always strive to follow their dreams, but try to do so safely. They should always be with others, and make sure their dreams end them up with ones they love.