Sam McCandless is the younger brother of Christopher McCandless, the main subject of Jon Krakauer’s book Into the Wild. In the story, Sam is depicted as someone who had a different path in life than Christopher, reflecting on the stark contrast in their approaches to life and family.
While Christopher sought adventure and a deeper understanding of life through his travels into the Alaskan wilderness, Sam remained more grounded and connected to family. Sam describes his brother as intelligent and passionate but also struggles with the shadow of Christopher’s tragic end.
This relationship provides a poignant insight into the impact Christopher’s journey had not only on him but also on those he left behind, including Sam. Through his reflections, Sam helps to humanize Christopher’s story, making it clear that while yearning for freedom and adventure can be admirable, it also comes with significant consequences for loved ones.