Introduction
Chris McCandless, the subject of Jon Krakauer’s “Into the Wild,” has been a topic of much discussion and debate among readers. A common opinion is that he was a courageous and noble young man who followed his ideals to the very end, while others argue that he was a reckless adventurer who put his own life at risk. The complexity of Chris’ character can be explained using numerous paradigms. Yet, this paper will argue that the primary causative factor of Chris’ behavior was his inadequate mental health.
Inadequate Preparation as a Symptom of Psychological Strain
One example that supports the idea that McCandless was dealing with mental illness is the fact that he was not adequately prepared for the trip. One of the first observations of Alex’s equipment showed that it did not meet the requirements of the harsh conditions awaiting him. For instance, “the only food in his bag was a ten-pound bag of rice,” while his weapon was not effective and his clothes were not sufficiently warm (Krakauer 14). The subsequent implication is that Alex was not really as much interested in the trip as he was looking for an emotional escape, which is a sign of a damaged psyche.
This lack of preparation could be seen as a sign of McCandless’s emotional instability and poor decision-making skills. It suggests that he was not fully in touch with reality and was perhaps seeking an emotional escape rather than embarking on a well-planned and rational journey. Additionally, McCandless’s refusal to bring a map and his overconfidence in his abilities further support the idea that he may have been dealing with mental illness. This decision ultimately proved fatal, as he was unable to find his way back to civilization.
The Desire to Escape: Bipolar Disorder as a Framework
McCandless’ choice to leave his family and his previous way of life is another instance that lends credence to the claim that he was suffering from a mental condition. Individuals with bipolar disorder frequently feel the need to flee and may act rashly to satisfy that need. In McCandless’s case, he had a strong desire to leave society and its expectations behind. There are instances when Chris “chose to make a secret of his dark knowledge and express his rage obliquely, in silence and silent withdrawal” – the multitude of such issues always precipitates mental health challenges (Krakauer 61). He may have decided to leave everything behind and venture into the bush as a result of this urge and his mood swings.
Counterargument
It is worth noting that the same situation may actually explain the opposite – that Chris was not mentally challenged but simply capricious. For example, his decision to abandon his old life may be viewed simply as an act of rebellion against his parents, who he felt had too much control over his life. After all, there are indications of him having a tyrannical father (Krakauer 32). However, his decision to venture into the wilderness seems like an excessive coping mechanism. He definitely had no intellectual disabilities, yet his failure to regulate his emotional well-being may have played a crucial role in his drastic decisions.
Conclusion
While there are several different viewpoints on Chris McCandless and his actions, the evidence suggests that he was dealing with mental illness, particularly bipolar disorder. This disorder can cause individuals to engage in impulsive and risky behavior, which may explain McCandless’s decision to abandon his old life and venture into the wilderness. By understanding this, it is possible to view McCandless’s story with more empathy and recognize the importance of mental health awareness and treatment.
Work Cited
Krakauer, Jon. Into the Wild. Pan Macmillan, 2018.