Exploring The Father Theme in "Into The Wild"

Introduction

Jon Krakauer's book, "Into the Wild," tells the story of Christopher McCandless. He's a young guy who leaves everything behind to find freedom and truth in the wild. There's lots going on in the book, but one big theme is how Chris's relationship with his dad affects his choices. This essay looks at that father-son dynamic and how it pushes Chris toward isolation and trying to find himself.

'Exploring The Father Theme in "Into The Wild"'

The tension between Christopher McCandless and his dad is clear from the get-go. It kinda sets off a lot of what Chris does. Walt McCandless, Chris's dad, is pretty strict and demanding. This doesn’t sit well with Chris’s need for independence and figuring out who he really is. Growing up, Chris feels like he’s being choked by his dad's high hopes and pressure to follow a set path to success. Things get worse when Chris finds out about his dad's affair, which totally messes up his ideal view of Walt and breaks the trust they had.

This letdown not only with his dad but with society in general makes Chris want to rebel. He decides material things and the typical American Dream aren’t for him — ideas he links back to his dad. So, he gives away his savings, leaves his car, and even burns any money he has left as a way to cut ties with his father's world. By doing this, he's trying to start fresh without any influence from his old man or society's expectations.

Chris’s adventure into the wild is also about relying on himself and being real — something he thinks isn't possible under his father's watchful eye. Nature becomes his safe space where he can decide who he wants to be without anyone looking over his shoulder. In letters and journals, Chris talks about feeling free and pure in nature, far from Walt's grasp. His journey isn't just about getting away physically; it's also about finding himself mentally and spiritually, away from paternal control.

But Krakauer shows us that Chris’s journey isn't straightforward. Even though he wants to get away from his dad's influence completely, he can't shake it off entirely. Walt taught him survival skills and encouraged curiosity, which are super helpful in Chris’s adventures. It's kind of ironic that while he's trying to escape Walt's impact, some part of it stays with him throughout.

The story also nudges us to think about bigger societal issues. It highlights generational conflicts where younger folks are stuck between chasing their dreams or sticking with inherited values. It makes you think about family bonds and how parents' expectations shape who we become — whether they're helpful or just hold us back.

Conclusion

To wrap things up, the father-son theme in "Into the Wild" plays a big role in shaping Chris McCandless's path and eventually his fate too. The rocky relationship with Walt drives Chris toward wanting independence and rejecting societal norms. His quest for authenticity out in the wilderness shows how hard he's trying to escape paternal influence, even though paradoxically Walt’s teachings help keep him alive out there.

Krakauer dives deep into this complex dynamic between father and son, making us think about how parental expectations mix with personal identity development. Through Chris McCandless's story, "Into the Wild" gives us a powerful look at the ups and downs of chasing autonomy and meaning.

References

• Krakauer, J. (1996). Into the Wild. New York: Anchor Books.
• Bergman, C., & Joyce-Peña-López (2018). Exploring Father-Son Relationships: Literary Perspectives on Familial Conflict.
• Pearson Education (2009). Modern Literary Analysis Techniques for High School Students.
• Samuels, A., & Rousselot-Franklin (2021). Dissecting Themes in American Literature: An Academic Approach.
• Taylor & Francis (2015). The Dynamics of Parent-Child Relationships: An Interdisciplinary Review.