How does Chris McCandless demonstrate Transcendentalism? Compare/contrast Chris

McCandless with Emerson and Thoreau.

Transcendentalism have been demonstrated as a values based on self reliance, individuality, and optimism.

Explanation:

Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau were the person behind the transcendentalism, which was the philosophical movement that began in 1830s. We can find the transcendentalism in McCandless's 'Into the Wild' where McCandless believes that life is best lived alone, in nature, by enjoying and feeling the natural beauty.

McCandless and Henry were both against materialism. They both believed that being dependent on the worldly possessions makes a person detached from their true self. McCandless wasn't obsessed with any worldly possessions, he was ready to leave everything. Be it Emerson, or Henry, or McCandless, all of them tries to convey their readers to lead a simple life.