In Jon Krakauer’s book, Into the Wild, Chris McCandless had a complicated relationship with his parents, which ultimately influenced his decision to leave his conventional life behind.
Throughout the narrative, Chris is depicted as being deeply discontented with the values and expectations imposed by his family. He felt that they were represented by materialism and a lack of authenticity, which led him to rebel against their way of life. This tension is most evident when Chris chooses to sever ties with his family, reflected in his decision not to communicate with them for long periods.
Despite his feelings, it’s clear that Chris’s actions caused his parents significant emotional pain. His mother, in particular, struggled with his disappearance and the choices he made. Chris’s treatment of his parents can be seen as an expression of his desire for independence and a search for identity, but it also resulted in heartbreak for the very people who cared about him the most.