Post 2 - 80. Describe how the character of a literary work you have read recently has made a lasting impression on you. (College of Notre Dame of Mary

I recently finished reading the novel Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, an ex-journalist and accomplished mountaineer, for an English assignment over winter break. In all honesty, I would never have even touched the book if it were not a graded assignment, but just as well that I did because it ended up giving me a lot of insight about young risk-takers, about why they do things they do, and what they get from acting “irrationally.”

The main character of this non-fiction novel is a young man from a well to do family, a graduate from Emory University, a runaway from home by the name of Chris McCandless. The book is based on his story of giving all his money (which happens to be a small fortune for someone his age) running away from, living a solitary life with just the clothes on his back and a few basic things to survive in the wilderness of North America, and his death in Alaska. To those reading this, do not worry, I have not ruined the story or the message of the book for you. Krakauer starts off the book by telling us of McCandless’s death, so you can still read the book if you want to and enjoy it to its fullest.

The reason Why Chris McCandless had such a lasting impression on me is not because he gave up everything and ran away from home, not because he died in the heartless wilderness of Alaska, not because he severed all ties from his family, not because he went on a backpacking adventure (although this is a part of the reason) but because he followed his dream. He did what he wanted to do even if it meant taking tremendous, boundless risks. I was inspired by his story because he let nothing change his mind once it was set one something. He was never rude to anyone or reckless with his methods while he was travelling, rather, most of the people he met during his travels, no matter how briefly, loved him and were heartbroken by the news of his death.

I was inspired and moved by Chris McCandless’s rock-solid determination, his unmoving will, his adamant attitude, his unwavering confidence in himself, and his resolute stance towards the things he wanted and the things he thought were right. I was inspired by him because he knew what he wanted in life, and he let nothing stop him from achieving it.