John Krakauer's Novel into the Wild

In John Krakauer's novel Into The Wild, the reader questions whether main character Chris McCandless was exploring his inner nature or just being plain stupid. Ron Fratsen's similar encounters to Chris' throughout the novel shows the reader that this was not an act of stupidity, but instead an act of rebellion brought on by failed relationships, desire for freedom, and the arrogance of being a young man. Ron, like Chris, is first shown as a kid with restless spirit, hiking Mt. Denali with little to no equipment. Because Krakauer initially describes Ron as an arrogant teen who believes he is invincible, people native to the land think he is stupid and in a way mocking them. Eventually however, when Krakauer unveils more about Ron, the reader can see how lost he was after the harsh treatment his father gave him in his childhood. Like Chris, because of this treatment, a desire for isolation and inner exploration is sought after by Ron. He wants to escape the cruelty of his past life and begin a life free of rules. Being a strong, young man he feels as if he can take on the world. This ultimately leads to poor decisions and soon death. Both Chris and Ron ruined what could have been fulfilling lives due to their inability to forgive because of their headstrong attitudes and desire for isolation.

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