Was Chris McCandless a hero or a fool?

Chris McCandless became a public figure when Jon Krakauer published his story in the Outside article in January 1993. While many may sympathize with McCandless's story other people view his story in a negative perspective. Chris McCandless, to many was viewed as an independent; he had no intention of his story to become this popular; he had no intention of being viewed as a hero. The dictionary defines a hero as a person idealized for their achievements or noble qualities. Many argue that Chris McCandless fits this description; however, others argue that he is not a hero.

Chris McCandless was adventurous, he did not let danger get in his way. McCandless was the definition of a courageous man even when hope was lost McCandless kept going. His adventure around the United States demonstrated his ability as a hero. "The climactic battle to kill the false ... No longer to be poisoned by civilization he flees, and walks alone upon the land to become lost in the wild"(163).His adventure was not an adventure to explore the world, but an adventure to find the real himself. His adventure showed a quality not many people have, initiative. Many people have dreams that they are too afraid to show others; however Chris McCandless took it upon himself to make his dream a reality. although his idea  may seem idiotic, he was not afraid to take the risk even though he was unsure of the future. McCandless was able to make his dream a reality even when he knew no one would approve, the only thing that mattered was his happiness.

McCandless is not seen as a hero to all. His adventures while indeed cool, are not a hero worthy. McCandless "would have walked out of the woods…as anonymously as he had walked into them. Instead, his innocent mistake .. his name became the stuff of tabloid headlines, and his bewildered family was left clutching the shards of a fierce and painful love"(Author's Note, Krakauer). Many people feel trapped in their existence once in awhile, but Chris McCandless chose to do something about it. Others choose not to follow the path of Chris McCandless because we have responsibilities to our family and friends. McCandless chose to abandon them with no regret or remorse. In life a person must come to a conclusion that the world does not revolve around them; they must think about others too. Although his actions show that he is adventurous, his actions also show some selfish traits. He chose to make his parents worry without a notice or a letter. A hero would never make people worry; he would put the feelings of others before his own.

Chris McCandless called both a hero or selfish is only human. He chose what was best for him; he wanted to forget the world and its troubles. McCandless's story was not a story of a hero; it was a story of a man with a dream who took his courage to complete his dream. He was only a human who could deal with the problems the world threw at him. His story shows us all that if we want to do something to not let doubt overcome us. His actions were not hero-like, but he revealed to us that if we want to do anything there is nothing in this world that can stop us.