Comparing and Contrasting Henry David Thoreau and Chris McCandless

Simran Ohri

CAP English 9

Dr. Simel

October 30, 2018

 Comparing and Contrasting Henry David Thoreau and Chris McCandless

Henry David Thoreau’s views in ​Walden​ regarding materialism, living simply among

nature, and individualism are reflected in Chris McCandless’s actions as portrayed in Jon

Krakauer’s ​Into the Wild​. Throughout the story, Chris’s actions portray the ideas presented in

Walden​, including those of superficial possessions, simple living, and supporting oneself.

Overall, McCandless and Thoreau possess many similarities in their ideological views

surrounding these topics.

Henry David Thoreau’s view on materialism was portrayed when Chris abandons the

majority of his possessions after the flash flood in Atlanta. Thoreau explains that “Most of the

luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only indispensable, but positive

hindrances to the elevation of mankind. With respect to luxuries and comforts, the wisest have

ever lived a more simple and meagre life of the poor” (15-16). This quote shows how Thoreau

believes that unneeded possessions and luxuries prevent personal growth and improvement,

rather than inducing it. In addition to this, he believes that the smartest people often live even

simpler than the poor, with fewer possessions and fewer luxuries. Thoreau explains that living

free of unnecessary belongings fosters advancements in one’s thinking, beliefs, and ideas. These

viewpoints are reflected in Chris’s decision to abandon his yellow Datsun. Krakauer explains the

difficulty that would come with repairing the Datsun or reporting it to the authorities; “There

would be thickets of red tape to negotiate and fines to pay. His parents would be no doubt be

contacted. But there was a way to avoid such aggravation. he could simply abandon the Datsun

and resume his odyssey by foot. And that’s what he decided to do” (28-29). The yellow Datsun

reflects Chris’s anti-materialism and disobedience towards his parents and was one of his last
possessions that tied Chris to his old life. By deserting his Datsun, Chris is letting go of his

connections to his old life and belongings that might hinder his travels throughout the country.

Another example of Thoreau’s disregard towards materialism is when he says that “Men have

become tools of their tools...a housekeeper” (33). Thoreau is explaining that, instead of

benefitting from tools, it is a barrier between achieving true happiness and freedom. The tools

must be maintained and taken care of, and in that way, humans are serving the tools themselves.

This perception is also implemented in Chris’s decisions. Krakauer explains that “he saw the

flash flood as an opportunity to shed unnecessary baggage..one hundred twenty-three dollars in

legal tender was promptly reduced to ash and smoke” (Krakauer 29). These actions represent

Chris’s final abandonment of money and materialistic possessions of any sort, and the start of

living simply. Krakauer shows that Chris no longer believed that any of these belongings were

necessary to his survival and that Chris was to live with only the supplies he could carry on his

back. Overall, Chris’s actions regarding physical possessions and materialism were inspired by

Henry David Thoreau.

Henry David Thoreau’s ideas on living simply among nature affected Chris’s decision to

live out in the wild with only what he could carry on his back. Thoreau believes that “the mass of

men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From

the desperate city you go to the desperate country, and have to console yourself with the bravery

of minks and muskrats” (11). Thoreau is explaining that the only way to move on from the “quiet

desperation” is to simplify one’s life and keep in touch with nature. He believes that many

people are too focused on the so-called “luxuries” of life that they often forget to uncomplicate

their lives. Thoreau emphasizes this idea when explaining that “Most men in this comparatively
free country, through mere ignorance and mistake, are so occupied with the factitious cares and

superfluously coarse labors of life that it's finer fruits cannot be plucked by them” (9). He is

explaining that laborers are so caught up in the superficialities and materialistic possessions that

they are unable to achieve true happiness or reach their full potential. This concept is depicted

throughout Chris’s journey, as he attempts to live off the land, maintain his relationship with

nature, and simplify his life. Krakauer describes Chris as “he trudges expectantly down the trail

in a fake-fur parka...an experience that made him confident he could harvest enough food to

survive an extended stay in the Alaska wilderness, too” (162). This shows Chris’s hopes of living

off the land and surviving in Alaska with a limited supply of food. He is only carrying what he

believes to be necessary towards his survival during his final journey, and Thoreau’s ideas are

displayed throughout this section. Despite this, Krakauer contemplates McCandless’s reasoning

behind journeying to Alaska in comparison to Thoreau. He explains that “McCandless went into

the wilderness not to primarily ponder nature or the world at large but, rather, to explore the

inner country of his own soul” and that “it is impossible to live off the land without developing

both a subtle understanding of, and a strong emotional bond with, the land and all it holds” (183).

This quotation represents the importance of nature during both Thoreau and Chris’s adventures.

Henry David Thoreau’s opinion towards having a strong sense of individualism was

depicted when Chris refuses the help of others and supports himself throughout his journeys.

However, Thoreau understands the need for some human contact and reliance on others, ideas

that Chris does not initially believe. Thoreau explains that “we are so far from simplicity and

independence that, in Concord, fresh and sweet meal is rarely sold in the shops, and hominy and

corn in a still coarser form are hardly used by any” (53). He is pointing out the fact that few
people completely provide for themselves, and when one does not do so, it is hard to live simply.

The way that many people live forces them to be reliant on others for their own survival,

something Chris aims to avoid. In a letter to Wayne Westerberg, Chris explains that “Tramping

is too easy with all this money” and that “[his] days were more exciting when [he] was penniless

and had to forage around for [his] next meal” (Krakauer 33). This supports Thoreau’s theories

about the necessity of self-reliance. Chris believes that he can survive on his own, without the

help of others. Despite this, Chris shows appreciation from those who attempt to assist him

during his journeys. Thoreau also emphasizes the need for self-reliance when explaining a story

about an Indian who sold baskets. He says that “Having seen his industrious white neighbors so

well off...thinking that when he had made the baskets he would have done his part, and then it

would be the white man’s to buy them. He had not discovered that it was necessary for him to

make it worth the other’s while to buy” (Thoreau 19). The Indian believed that it was his job to

make the basket, and as the lawyer had money, he would buy the basket to support the Indian.

The theme of the passage is that the only person responsible for the success or survival of an

individual is themselves. Thoreau repeatedly brings up the idea that it is not one’s responsibility

to ensure another’s survival. Chris McCandless also displays the opposite to this idea and does

not make permanent connections with others. Krakauer explains that “McCandless was thrilled

to be on his way north, and he was relieved as well - relieved that he had again evaded the

impending threat of human intimacy, of friendship, and all the messy emotional baggage that

comes with it” (55). Chris does not hold himself responsible for the happiness or survival of

anyone surrounding him and avoids forming deep connections. McCandless believes this to be
true independence, one example of a difference between McCandless and Thoreau. Chris’s

actions during his journey translate the ideas of Thoreau surrounding self-reliance.

In conclusion, many of Chris’s actions in ​Into the Wild b​ y Jon Krakauer were influenced

by the ideas and thoughts of Henry David Thoreau in ​Walden.​ McCandless’s decisions

surrounding ideas of materialism, self-reliance, and living simply among nature are paralleled to

those made by Thoreau during his stay at Walden Pond. Overall, Chris McCandless’s actions are

reflected in ​Walden.
 Works Cited

Thoreau, Henry David. ​Walden and Civil Disobedience​. Barnes & Noble, 2003.

Krakauer, Jon. ​Into the Wild.​ Anchor Books, 1997.