Joy is Within Our Surroundings

“You are wrong if you think Joy emanates only or principally from human relationships. God has placed it all around us. It is in everything and anything we might experience. We just have to have the courage to turn against our habitual lifestyle and engage in unconventional living. My point is that you do not need me or anyone else around to bring this new kind of light in your life” (Krakauer 57).

Topic: Traveling and Relationships.

It can be easily assumed that Chris McCandless travels because he wants to outrun his past, but this excerpt expresses his desire to be closer to God and the world around him. He does not feel the need to rely on other people for his joy, he gets it through his experiences and surroundings. But the majority of people nowadays put the key to their own happiness in someone else's pocket and end up depending on that person for their well-being. This causes a lot of expectations to arise and disappointment to follow. McCandless grew up in a moderately wealthy family that was consumed with negativity. He saw the superficiality in his parents' marriage and their happiness and refused to be a part of it. This led McCandless to revert to a simpler lifestyle that appreciated nature and like-minded people. He found that when he prioritized his happiness through unconventional living he had a better quality of life. This is why he urges people to follow in his ways, not because he fears his family or relationships.