Preparation Makes Perfect

"Alex admitted that the only food in his pack was a ten-pound bag of rice. His gear seemed exceedingly minimal for the harsh conditions of the interior, which in April still lay buried under the winter snowpack..." (Krakauer 5).

Topic: Inspiration or Fool?
It can be inferred from this quote that Chris McCandless (A.K.A Alex) came to the Alaskan wilderness very unprepared. Some will think that Chris went wrong with his packing strategy, from the lack of food, hunting equipment, compasses, and clothing. He even denied advice from Gallien, a wilderness expert. This is an obvious reason for his death as well. However, Chris had always been a person of solitude and simplicity. He had always loved nature, and it seems that he just wanted to become one with nature and live his life in the wild. Although such critics think that wandering in the middle of nowhere with scarce equipment is unwise, Chris lived his life the way he wanted. He was happy where he was. After growing up with over-controlling parents, he became free-spirited in his own world. This can be motivation for high school students, who are not certain about their futures or are pressured by parents or others to pursue a certain career. If Chris was here today, he would shout, "Do what you love!"