Journal Post #2 - 1/4/2012
After reading the first fifty pages of Into the Wild, one of the most curious pieces of Chris' personality is his thoughts towards people and society. Obviously he rejects materialism and commercialism and those who Chris correlates with capitalism, like his parents, but he is extremely sociable amongst other tramps and vagabonds. Is this because of their rejection of societal confines, or because he feels more comfortable with people in economic distress? Why then is he so attached to Westerberg? I think that he rejected any contact with his parents and family, yet kept in contact with the Burres and Westerberg, because his family reminded him of all things wrong with society and that the people he met on the road reminded him of all things good about people. One thing that Chris never fails to mention is the kindness of the people he meets through his journey. It seems as if Chris enjoyed talking with the other tramps immensely, and that the feeling was mutual with most everyone he met. How could he maintain such strong relationships with other tramps but be so detached from his parents and other complacent members of society, such as his fellow employees at the McDonalds in Bullhead. I believe that Chris tried to treat all people with respect, but he reserved his best treatment for those in economic distress. I think this is true because he spend two months in Bullhead, more than in most other places, but he never grew to have a relationship with any of his co-workers. Was this because he was uncomfortable with being a contributing member of a society he didn't want to be a part of? Or was it because he didn't take the time to reach out to any of the complacent workers? Chris seems to now be a social outcast. He is too far seperated from society to ever identify with it for very long. That is why he can connect so well with other tramps and Westerberg, because they are also disconnected from the hypocritical mainstream society that Chris left. But is this inability to rejoin society deliberate or subconcious? Chris is obviously uncomfortable with working, but he still maintains a minimalist lifestyle. When he takes his socks off immediately after work, i see that as a deliberate rejection of society. He may recognize that he is somewhat dependent, but he also shows his tenacious drive to sever himself from social standards. That is why he admires other tramps so much, because they do what they can with what they have. Chris deliberately rejects society, but he also rejects the tramp society as well. He rarely accepts handouts, and is mostly nomadic throughout his dealings with other tramps, and he makes a point to camp farther away from other tramps at Oh-My-God Springs. IT seems taht Chris is attempting to severe ties with minimalist tramps as well. he sees the beauty in the personalities of tramps, but he also distances himself from them. Throughout all of his dealings, his goal is primarily self-exploration and adventure, but is he selfish or selfless when going through with his goal? He recognizes the relationships he has, but does he recognize the emotion tied to those relationships? Lots to think about...
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