A life Defined by Death

The question of Chris McCandless’ cause of death is truthfully a question of character. Was he a brilliant mind seeking solace only to be betrayed nature or was he a selfish, overconfident, boy brought to learn his limits in his own mortality? Krakauer’s book, Into the Wild, creates an unclear character. McCandless seems to slip easily in between an intelligent, agreeable, friend and a stubborn, judgmental, son.  Chris McCandless and his return to nature have captured the attention of many; the idea of living in a natural state among the wild is a romantic one but few are willing to subject themselves to such a test and they idolize those who do. This idea requires a worthy person who embodies the desire to live a simpler life. Their motives for actions contribute just as much too their merit as their actions. It is this which makes McCandless’ death such an important aspect of his story.

In Krakauer’s book he offers an explanation for McCandless’ death, the presence of a toxic alkaloid in the potato seeds which had become a staple of his diet. This explanation allowed McCandless to maintain a certain sense of heroism, the food did not appear to have an obvious affect on his health until it was too late, nature had tricked him. It was this explanation which preserved McCandless’ purer personality, his excursion was one of self discovery for which he had prepared, he was able to gather food and survive rough weather and, if it weren’t for the potato seed, he could have existed this way as long as he wanted. This was preferable to the foolish young boy who ran out into nature for attention only to find he was unable to sustain himself and starved to death out of stubbornness.

In 2007 Dr. Clausen completed an analysis of the seeds and declared them harmless, saying “I’d eat it myself”. With this announcement Krakauer and many others lost a little faith in Chris McCandless. They began questioning his competence and in that, his character.  Krakauer’s voice in the article seemed more desperate as he attempted to salvage the valor of McCandless. After months of research Krakauer found what he was searching for, an amino acid named Hedysarum alpinum. After a second test the seeds were said to contain .394 per cent beta-ODA, well within levels harmful to humans. As McCandless was already suffering from malnutrition the seeds caused significantly more damage leading to his death.

Even in today’s society we idolize those who are able to connect with nature on a higher level. Documentaries follow rock climbers and skiers as they explore unknown mountains and people respect those who find peace in the solitude and simplicity of forests. But just as quickly as we revere this group of people we condemn those who cannot survive in the nature we originated from. Chris McCandless cause of death was examined not to determine what killed him but rather if he was an unlucky idol or an important lesson.

I too find myself charmed by nature, jealous of those who are free from the inexplicable need for consumerist goods but, it seems wrong to me to decipher the meaning of one’s life through the cause of their death.  Prepared or not McCandless’ walk into the wild should be defined by his successes as well as his failures. This means not separating his good characteristics from his bad but allowing them to coexist just as they did in his life.