Christopher McCandless was an American hiker and wilderness enthusiast who, after graduating from college, traveled across the United States, working odd jobs along the way and eventually heading off into the Alaska wilderness in search of a simplified lifestyle He lived the last four months of his life in an abandoned bus in the Alaska wilderness before succumbing to starvation in late August 1992 at the age of 24. His story was made famous by the book and film adaptation of Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer.
Christopher McCandless’s story is an inspiring one for many people, and his philosophy of stepping away from society to live a life of simplicity has sparked a lot of debate and discussion. To explore this fascinating life and thought process, here are five of the best essay topics inspired by Christopher McCandless:
1. Why was Christopher McCandless so drawn to wilderness? Discuss the different motivations and influences on his desire to explore the natural world and how this affected his life and the choices he made.
2. How did Christopher McCandless’s journey embody transcendentalism and Thoreau’s philosophy of living simply? Compare and contrast McCandless’s journey with that of Henry David Thoreau.
3. Was Christopher McCandless a hero or a fool? Examine the evidence of his life and death, and the story of his journey, to make an argument for either side.
4. Describe the role of nature in Christopher McCandless’s story. Discuss how his experiences in the wilderness shaped his thinking and his ultimate decision to stay in Alaska.
5. In what ways was Christopher McCandless a modern-day rebel? Analyze his life and death in terms of rebellion against authority and societal norms.