The Awakening and Into The Wild - Essay Example

Into the Wild, on the other hand, is a 1996 factual book written by Jon Krakauer. It is an extension of the author’s 9,000-word piece on Christopher McCandless known as the Death of an Innocent, which was published in the January issue of Outside, in 1993. This novel tackles the issues of how to be accepted and recognized in society, and how finding yourself, at times, clashes with being an active member of the society. In this reading, a reader could see that Chris McCandless was behind left to find some kind of enlightenment.

He endeavors to find his path in the wild with little material assets since "it made the journey more fun" (Krakauer 32). His intense risk-taking habit was the hubris that finally led to his downfall. These two writings focus on theme them of how to be accepted into society with The Awakening incorporating a female character as the protagonist and Into the Wild incorporating a male character as the protagonist. This paper will discuss how the two writing bring out these themes (the effects of self-expression) through analysis of character roles, conflict resolution and literary devices.

Edna is the central character in The Awakening, which also refers to her title. The 28 years old woman, who is wifed to a New Orleans businessman, instantly finds herself dissatisfied with her husband, as well as the limited conservative way of living that it dictates (Chopin 30). She appears from her semi-conscious situation of a devoted companion and a mother to a situation of complete awareness, through which she finds her own identity and acts on her own desires for sexual and emotional satisfaction.

Through a series of "awakenings", Edna turns into a shockingly independent girl and is accountable only to her personal passions and urges (Chopin 189). Sadly, Edna’s experience (awakening) isolates her form other members of society, which led to her state of complete solitude. Christopher McCandless was a smart, optimistic young man who deemed that life is best lived in isolation, otherwise in nature. He spent two full years putting his theory into practice in the "wild-wests" of the U.S before moving into Alaska.

However, he was unprepared of this journey and eventually starved to death (Krakauer 40). What these two accounts show us is that these two character where on endeavors to find themselves in opposition to the accepted societal ways, but eventually ended up harming themselves. Edna, in the awakening, ended up in utter solitude the made her to commit suicide and McCandless, in Into the Wild, ended up starving to death. Edna’s breakthrough of ways to express herself brings about the disclosure of her long-repressed emotions.

Through her experience, she learns at least three fresh "languages" (Chopin 78). First and foremost, she learns the style of expression of Creole women in Grand Isle. In spite of their chastity, Creole women converse freely and share their thoughts openly. Their openness initially stunned Edna, but she soon was free about it. Edna discovered that she can face her sexuality and feelings directly, devoid of any fear. Once some of her Creole friends reveal to her that it is fine to dwell on one’