Natural Elements of into the Wild - Essay Example

Natural Elements of Into the Wild Introduction The concept of escaping from civilization and going into the wild is a motive of several who are living in the 21st century. The journey of McCandless through the book Into the Wild is one of the examples of how many wanted to escape the technologies, business and lack of substance in the modern times. The main concept of this book was to move back to one’s roots and to go into nature where one felt their essence and beginnings. The writing that is introduced through this book can be applied to several who have the same theory about going back to the natural while seeing progression and 21st century concepts as a loss of true human spirit and nature. The ability to go back into the wild then becomes more than a desire to explore different land and instead to move into the true nature one has. McCandless’s Motives for Being in the Wild The diary that is portrayed through the book of Into the Wild recounts the journey of McCandless and the diary he has kept while traveling through the mountains of Alaska. The beginning motives that McCandless points out for going into the wild is based on the need for him to find if he can live off the land and to build a unique identity. The main concept that Alex began with was to prove that he could live naturally and without the outside parts of the land interfering with his needs and desires. In the beginning, this is seen through the simplicity of his travel and the lack of clothing, food and material goods he brings. “Alex admitted that the only food in his pack was a ten pound bag of rice. His gear seemed exceedingly minimal for the harsh conditions of the interior… the only navigational aid in his possession was a tattered state road map he’d scrounged at a gas station” (Krakuer, 1). The beginning description shows that the motive of McCandless was to prove that he could live off the land and instead of being a part of society he could go back to being without the materialism required for living. The ability to prove this to him then became the driving force for him to learn to survive in his natural element. The concept of living off the land by McCandless was furthered throughout the book with the concept of finding identity outside of materialism and expectations of the world. Alex was known to leave to Alaska despite the capabilities he had and the education he had received. He had just graduated college and was offered a promising future. However, he left the promises given to him, changed his name and decided to travel to an area that was remote and unknown. Changing his name, moving into an area that didn’t have the assumptions and expectations of modernism and learning to live in a natural element that Alex was drawn to show the concept of working toward dealing with identity and finding who one really is. Outside of the educational standards and expectations, there was a draw from Alex to understand the natural side that didn’t need the intellectual concepts associated with his identity. The theme throughout this book was to deny that modernism could offer one their true identity and nature and instead the belief that one would need to move back into their natural element to discover the reality of who they were and how they could live outside of culture, society and the expectations that followed. Escape from Civilization in the 21st Century Escaping from civilization in the 21st century is a common theme that many explore, specifically through theoretical implications of identity and the ability to live off the land. There are many that are finding that the ability to have open space and nature surrounding an individual is able to create a sense of belonging while allowing the natural element to be prominent. Public open space and the demand to have parks and room for natural growth are some of the examples of how several try to incorporate the natural into the 21st century while demanding that there is a small sense of escape from the 21st century concepts of modernism and civilization and into the natural. The landscapes in urban areas are known to provide an area where individuals are able to escape the concept of modernism and to move into what feels like a natural, peaceful and modern ideology (Thompson, 59). Another concept that many look toward when examining the concept of escaping civilization in the 21st century is based on reaching a new identity while prospering in the natural element. Many feel that there is the need to go back to nature as the essence of who man is as well as what is expected of him within this century. The concept of moving into a natural space, as opposed to the modernism of technology, fast paced cars and buildings have led several to debates over how to create natural spaces and other elements that are more enticing. The ability to transform oneself into a different element that feels more natural and not set away from the identity of man has become a continuous trend to those who are interested in creating a different space. The debate that has built is known as the crisis of identity in communities. The crisis is based out of one not being able to feel natural in a specific area which causes a lack of identity and doesn’t allow one to move into their natural element. The environment has then led several to the ideology of moving into nature and disregarding the technology and modernism of the 21st century (Chelimsky, Shadish, 4). The concept of moving back into the natural element among several has also led into the ideology of finding identity. Many believe that the 21st century and the concepts of modernism have created a lack of true identity and have caused several to move away from their true nature as human beings. When one is in the wild, they can experience the ability to live as man was intended to live. However, when they go into the 21st century principles, there are several that believe this is the wrong nature and is one that tears one away from their true identity. The concept of identity is one that becomes problematic because of the question of the human self. The dichotomy of what the human self is capable of as well as what their true nature is creates a difference in the identity of one and what they are expected to do. The problem becomes linked with finding one’s true identity and nature and creating a change in how one looks at the world and the different elements that one is a part of (Cronon, 7). Examples of Going Into the Wild There are several other examples of one going into the wild to find their true nature and essence. Jack London, for example, wrote a different book that examines one going into the wild and living with wolves as a natural element. This was later adapted into a film that was similar to the concept portrayed through Kakuer’s book. Other examples range from concepts such as “The Jungle Book.” Even though the boy doesn’t make a conscious choice to go back into nature, the story works as an example of what it means to go back to one’s true nature and to feel more secure within this element. Other literary writers and poets have noted the same type of concept where the individuals are faced with choosing between the evolution of man and nature with the decision based on determining which works better for them and which shows their true nature. Movie examples include several who decide to leave their professions or the lives which they have made to find their true nature by going into the unknown and working into the discovery of different elements. Each of these examples shows that the concept of going into the wild has a natural pull that allows each individual to take a specific step back into their true identity and nature (Anchorage Daily News, 2). Conclusion The concept of moving back into one’s natural element and finding true identity is one that many have questioned in society. In the book, Into the Wild, there is a question of finding the true nature and identity of a person. The identity is one that the character claims to be outside of the progression and education of the 21st century and instead is reliant on one being able to work off the land and to find the natural element that is a part of each individual. By doing this, there is the ability to create a deeper meaning to life and to live with an identity that is based specifically on the ability to create a different way of survival and living with the wild also being the natural identity of man. Works Cited Anchorage Daily News. “McCandless Fatal Trek: Schizophrenia or Pilgrimage?” (April), 1996. Chelimsky, Eleanor, William Shadish. Evaluation for the 21st Century: A Handbook. California: Sage Publications, 1997. Cronon, William. “The Trouble With Wilderness: Or, Getting Back to the Wrong Nature.” Environmental History (1), (1), 1996. Krakauer, Jon. Into the Wild. Alaska: Anchor, 1997. Thompson, Catharine. “Urban Open Space in the 21st Century.” Landscape and Urban Planning (60), (2), 2002. 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