Timothy Treadwell and Chris McCandles

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of characterization from a very credible source, his father, that shows that Chris never felt complete in society, regardless of receiving many opportunities and benefits of staying. Chris didn’t feel as though he fit in normal civilization; therefore, having his own plans to leave. This is strongly unlike Treadwell because McCandless was not pleased with his situation in society. He did not feel complete. However, Treadwell didn’t have the motives to want to find his true self in nature. He wanted, rather, to leave society behind him in search for a civilization that he truly supported, in nature.

McCandless and Treadwell can have many similarities in the way they were characterized. For example, both were characterized to be looked upon as unprepared for their respective journeys. Regardless of the author’s opinion, both included evidence that they can be and were viewed as unprepared. For example, in Grizzly Man, Herzog includes the clip where Treadwell says “I can survive” and “I’m different”. Similarly, McCandless drew criticization that he had forgotten “Boy Scout Rule number one: Be Prepared”. These two illustrate that while both believed that they could survive as minimalists, they were ultimately wrong and unprepared. They both wanted to be able to live among nature with Treadwell wishing to live among the bears and McCandless hoping to find himself in nature, but they weren’t as prepared as they thought they were. Also, they both end up dying, being taken as victims of naturalism. Treadwell thought he would be able to survive with the bears; however, he was killed by a bear, as explained in the movie. This is naturalism because nature was more superior than he was. Also, McCandless had a similar experience where he wished to find himself in nature, but ultimately died of starvation, at the hands of nature. Lastly, despite having varied views of society, both men, in their purposes of going into the wild, felt as if they didn’t fit in. This detachment of society ultimately led both to want to become one with nature.

Although McCandless and Treadwell lived very distinct lifestyles, they both are characterized similarly in the book by Jon Krakauer and the film directed by Werner Herzog by both showing each individual’s alienation to society. They are both portrayed as being uncomfortable in their everyday lives and venture into the wilderness to become one with nature, rather than man. They were different in many ways including their intentions for leaving for nature and their distinct beliefs about society. McCandless. Treadwell enters the wild as he curses civilization and becomes one with the bears and other animals. McCandless enters the wild as an ambitious, yet unprepared, man who wanted to truly find himself. Ultimately, both men end up dying at the hands of nature. Both men truly felt comfortable in nature, concluding their alienation to society was genuine. They were different in their motives and beliefs about society, while being similar in not being prepared for their expeditions.

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