Persuasive Essay

Mary Yankovich


Greens

Mrs. Zurkowski

Is Chris Crazy?

A lot of people believe Chris McCandless, was crazy to travel all over the United States with no connection with friends or family. I think he did what he needed to do in life. He needed to find out what he wanted in life. He wanted to know what happiness was, and he accomplished that by leaving a privileged life and being without his family and close friends. Chris, I believe, is a real role model. He saw what he wanted out of life and went for it. He didn’t care if we died and what people thought of him. Though his life was short he did more than anyone can say in a lifetime.

Chris was good with people but when he started to get close to tem he pushed them away. “No. You don’t get it. I’m going to San Diego. And I’m leaving on Monday. OK. I’ll drive you there. (Franz) Don’t be ridiculous, McCandless scoffed.” (Chapter 6 pg.52) Franz was an older man that Chris met and became very close to him. They were so close that Franz was going to ask Chris if he could adopt him as his grandson. Once, Chris started to really care about Franz he knew we had to leave. Chris didn’t want any tip of family strings attached.

When Chris realized that happiness wasn’t real unless it was shared with others he knew he had to go home and see his family, but he never made it home. “He intended to abandon the life of a solitary vagabond, stop running so hard from intimacy, and became a member of the human community.”(Chapter 18 pg. 189) He knew what life was about, he knew he needed to get home and see his family and friends. If he wasn’t in such pore health I have no doubt that he would have gone home and lived a normal life.

“Carine made peace with her parents shortly after Chris disappeared.” (Chapter 13 pg.129) Carine and Chris were very close and they both did not have a good relationship with their parents. After Chris left Carine made up with her parents, but it was hard for Chris to deal with his parents. Chris was very stubborn and if he wasn’t than he would not have gone on his two year adventure.

Yes, it was not smart of Chris to travel to the Stampede Trail without the correct supplies but learned so much on his journey. Not just Chris but anyone that knows his story. You can learn so much from his experience. By his journey you can know what you have to have that Chris was without if you wish to go on a long adventure as Chris. Chris did make many mistakes but he took so many chances in life that everyone needs to do. People should stop what they’re doing and travel to someplace you have not been, but always wanted to go.

Chris had an amazing adventure that not many people experience. Chris was afraid to get close to people, he didn’t relate to his parents and he was very close to his sister. How he lived his life should influence people to look at life in a new way. You should be able to relate to what Chris was going. If you do not know what you should have a small adventure like Chris.