Essay on Into the Wild
Into the Wild tells the true story of Christopher McCandless, who abandons his comfortable life to travel across America in search of freedom and meaning. The movie tracks his path through the natural world, which helps him develop his understanding of life and independence through his experiences, which demonstrate how modern society exists in opposition to a simple existence that embraces nature.
The movie raised an essential question that I kept thinking about throughout the film: should we hurt our loved ones for our freedom? Christopher chooses complete independence, which made me wonder whether it is possible to be halfway independent, or whether life must be lived in an all-or-nothing way like McCandless believed.
The movie shows how extremist behavior may lead to success, which shows that this path comes with dangerous consequences. I believe in the idea that real happiness is happiness that is shared. People should not dedicate their lives to one single goal because this choice brings unnecessary suffering. To me, standing alone at the summit offers no freedom because it creates an experience of isolation.
My favorite quote from the movie is: “Rather than Love, than Money, than Faith, than Fame, than Fairness… give me Truth.”
The movie Into the Wild challenges viewers to establish their own definitions for freedom and independence together with happiness.
