Interesting perspective offered by alaskamoosegal, that McCandless was within proximate distance of a road and a bridge. I find no heroism in McCandless. Rather, my impression was that he was a disturbed young man slipping inexorably into mental illness. I believed him to be fleeing. Carine's candor about the family clarify that this was entirely possible. I also found it peculiar that in spite of living the transient lifestyle Chris filmed himself. A clear indication that he was seeking recognition. He may have been a narcissist. A narcissist frequently entertains a wishful, exaggerated and unrealistic concept of himself. The grandiosity of a narcissist is an attempt to compensate for the lack of a feeling of self-worth. Again, the family life may have laid the groundwork. A narcissist also lacks empathy, which would explain how Chris could go off without a backward thought about the pain and distress he was likely causing his parents and sister.

This post isn't so much about the movie version of "Into the Wild" as it is an effort to understand McCandless' actions. The book stuck with me the same way as Sylvia Plath's "The Bell Jar." Disturbing. I look forward to seeing the movie.