Jack London had a profound impact on Chris McCandless and his adventures. McCandless, who sought a life in the wilderness, resonated deeply with London’s stories of survival and the call of the wild.
London’s writings, particularly in works like The Call of the Wild and White Fang, emphasize themes of nature, individualism, and the struggle for existence. These narratives depict the raw beauty and unforgiving challenges of the wilderness, capturing McCandless’s imagination and desire to venture into the wild.
In Into the Wild, it is clear that McCandless admired London’s belief in self-reliance and the importance of living authentically. McCandless saw London as a figure who fully embraced life, traveling to the extremes and experiencing nature in its purest form. This admiration also fueled McCandless’s own quest for meaning beyond societal expectations, leading him to leave behind his conventional life.
Ultimately, McCandless’s journey can be seen as a modern reflection of London’s ideals, as he sought to become one with nature and chase the wild in his own unique way, influenced heavily by London’s literary legacy.