Christopher McCandless should be recognized for living the way he wanted and living according to his ideas. Chris was a middle-class kid with supportive parents and a college education. He lived as he wanted, and along the way he helped and inflicted suffering on people. His purity and mysterious beliefs made him friends on his journey across America, but his stubbornness caused pain to others, he inflicted pain on his parents who worked to provide him with opportunities but he treated them like they were dirt. He should be admired in the sense that he was brave and intelligent, in society, but stupid in his preparation for nature. He is now dead, we wouldn't talk about him if he were alive otherwise, what makes a guy with such intelligence, such stupidity in a few months, yes he was stupid but he has to be admired for his courage, purity and independence. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Chris McCandless' purity and mysterious beliefs mesmerized the lives of the people he came in contact with alone on his journey. For example, when the Westerbergs first met Chris, Mary Westerberg was not interested in Chris's background or ideals, to her Chris was just a stupid worker on her farm. But after Mary had the chance to talk to Chris, her views on him completely changed, after a conversation with Chris filled with honesty and purity, Mary's opinion on Chris changed. “There was something fascinating about him,” says Ms. Westerberg […] Unlike most of us, he was the kind of person who insisted on living according to his convictions.” Mary Westerberg was unsure about Chris because of his social status and beliefs: "she wasn't really excited about meeting Chris," but she soon realized that none of this was necessary. importance after having a five hour non-stop conversation with Chris. Chris was admired by others because of his purity, even though others thought going to the Alaskan forest was a bad idea. He followed his plan, even though it turned out wrong. His purity is what attracted people like the Westerbergs and the Burres to him, his purity and honesty are what helped him form friendships along his journey. Yes, Chris may be dead, but the friendships and memories he made in people in such a short time are what make him outgoing and admirable. Although Chris McCandless's purity won him friendships, his independence is what made him courageous. Throughout his life, Chris struggled for independence, starting in high school. In the summer of 1990, he packed up his Datsun and headed to America. Chris was never afraid to take risks, he took risks. Chris canoed down the Colorado River to the Gulf of Mexico. He had the courage to spend a month and a few days alone in the ocean. “He hadn't seen or spoken to another soul in 36 days. Throughout this period, he survived on five pounds of rice and whatever marine life he could extract for the sea, an experience that would later convince him that he could survive on equally meager rations in the bush of the Alaska. This shows how independent and courageous Chris was. He spent 36 days alone in the middle of the ocean with only 5 pounds of rice and fish caught. Despite the great danger, Chris followed his heart and did what he wanted, knowing his lack of experience, he did it because he wanted to be independent. Chris was independent!”