[The book and movie 'Into The Wild' is based on the true story of solo traveller Chris McCandless who went on to live in an abandoned bus in Alaska in pursuit of quenching his adventurous spirit. Living a life raw and wild]
Was it his resentment towards his quarrelsome parents who knowingly/ unknowingly ruined the childhood of both their children? Or was it his dream to live the life of Mowgli that drifted him into the wild?
The answer will be subjective.
The fact that his story is real and people have risked even losing their lives just to see that magic bus where Chris lived in the wild is unimaginable. Later the bus was removed. If I ask why only we recall Chris? But not the one who lost his life in the quest to see that magic bus. Chris died while living a life we all have fantasized about at some point. Some people say that he was a brave man who pursued his dream. Some say that he was a stupid who went into the wild unequipped, and underprepared. Anything that was 'over' in his journey was his confidence to survive in the wild. Man takes action based on what he thinks to be correct at that time. It is the time that determines the correctness of the decisions. What matters the most is the freedom to make one's own decisions. If he would have survived, we would be celebrating his arrival. Children would read about his story of perseverance in the textbook. Unfortunately, the story ends with an SOS message by Chris.
It touches when Christopher says " how important it is in life not necessarily to be strong, but to feel strong... to measure yourself at least once. To find yourself at least once in the most ancient of human conditions. Facing the blind death stone alone, with nothing to help you but your hands and your own head." Feeling strong is the first step in becoming strong.
What's the point of living in a so-called secure world when it isn't so?
How important it is to not necessarily to be secure, but to feel secure in the arms of your home. Humans developed caves to get shelter. It is that shelter that has manifested into the modern-day society we live in today.
Learnings:
- Taught me the side effects of being an extremist. Learnt 'What not to do' more than 'what to do'. The equilibrium between monotony and adventure, between sanity and craziness, between life and death. Life is about finding that sweet spot.
- Many times, we make plans so strict that we neglect the scope of adventure. So the next time an uncertain wave comes in, take a breath and enjoy the splash.
Some beautiful lines from the movie:
"The fragility of crystal is not a weakness but a fineness." Just as how we celebrate with flowers, not with stones.
"People soften by the forced reflection caused by loss."
"The core of man's spirit comes from new experiences.”
"As the last line says 'happiness is only real when shared."
The movie is a sure-shot way to rediscover one's concept of freedom. Christopher did what he felt was right. After a fair contemplation session do what feels right for you. ________________________________________________________________________________
-Aashi Gupta
