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The Yellow Datsun
One event that stood out was when Chris became upset after his parents offered to buy him a new car. "Yet they ignore what I say and think I'd actually accept a new car from them!" (pg 21). Chris seemed to rebel against his parents even more after this incident. -
Chris McCandless begins his journey by driving out west
Chris McCandless begins his journey out west in his beloved car. This event is significant because Chris could have had his parents by him a brand new car, but instead he chose to drive with his simple old car. "Five weeks earlier he loaded all of his belongings into his little car and headed west without an itenerary," (pg. 22) This event marks the start of his journey. -
Jan Burres
Chris meets Jan Burres in California. She instantly liked him because he reminded Jan of her son.They stayed together for sometime right before Chris left for Alaska. Jan is important because she had so much faith in Chris, and believed he would return just fine because he had already traveled so much before. "I thought he's be fine in the end," (pg. 46). -
Wayne Westerberg
Wayne had Chris work at his grain elevator during Chris's journey. Chris worked extremely hard at work, which stood out to Wayne. Wayne is important because he actually developed a relationship with Chris, which few people had managed to do before. "McCandless stayed in touch with Westenburg as he roamed the west..." (pg. 19). Chris had a tendencey to sever relationships, and Wayne somehow managed to be the exception. -
Carthage, South Dakota
Wayne Westerberg picks up Chris in Carthrage while he was hitchhiking on the side of the road. An aspect of this town stood out the Chris, for some reason. He continued to journey back to visit the desolate town, even though he was not from there. "The attatchment McCandless felt for Carthrage remained powerful, however," (pg. 19). -
Los Angeles, California
Chris goes to Los Angeles, California in order to get his identification and a job.This is important because it shows that for a short time, Chris felt desperate enough to return to civilization in order to sustain survival.This also shows that even though McCandless had some low times, he still continued on his journey. "McCandless went to LA to get an ID and a job but feels extremely uncomfortable in society now," (pg. 37). -
McCandless leaves Carthage
Chris deciedes to leave, even thought he cries as he leaves. Borah Westenburg noted, "I noticed he was crying. That frightened me," (pg.68). It seemed that even though Chris was set on continuing his journey to Alaska, he seemed to have some remore as he left the people that he cared deeply about. -
Bullhead City, Arizona
Chris stops in Arizona where he gets a job flipping burgers at a McDonalds.This event is important because why Chris chose to stop here and be a real human in regular civilization is still a mystery. Chris had not used his real identification in quite some time, so this act could have easily lead his parents to him. "It was an uncharacteristic break from his cover that might have easily alerted his parents to his whereabouts," (pg. 40). -
Lori Zarza
Lori Zarza was the manager at a McDonalds in Arizona where Chris worked for a short stint. She was significant in his life because she was a large component of the reason that Chris left. She admitted it when she said " When Chris finally quit, it was probably because of me," (pg. 40). -
Salton City, California
Chris was picked up by Ronald Franz in Salton City, California. This stop is significant because Chris could have kept traveling, and not met Ronald Franz, who is one of the people that impacted Chris the most. The place was also in the middle of nowhere, which was an apect of Chris's transcendentalist roots. "The community was beyond the fringe, a vision of post-apocalypse America," (pg. 50). -
Ronald Franz
Ronald Franz stopped to give Chris a ride, and Franz soon became very close to Chris and wanted him to become an adopted member of his family. Franz left a huge impact on Chris's life because of his love that he showed Chris, even if the feelings were not necessarily reciprocated. Chris also inspired Franz to completely change his life around. "When Franz met McCandless, his long dormant paternal impulses were kindled anew," (pg. 50). -
McCandless leaves Franz
Chris never stayed long enough to form an emotional bond with anyone, (at least on his behalf,) Ronald Franz, on the other hand, felt a strong attatchment to Chris. After Chris left, Franz was effected. "The boy unmasked the gaping void in Franz's life even as he helped fill it," (pg. 56). -
Fairbanks, Alaksa
Chris finally arrives in Fairbanks after a long attempt at hitchhiking. Chris finally reached the place that he had been longing for during the past few years of his life. "The word that comes to mind is excited," (pg. 6). -
Jim Gallien
Gallien is the last person known to see Chris alive. Although they did not have a close relationship, Gallien is signifigant because he is the last person that spoke to McCandless before he died."Gallien thought the hitchhikers scheme was foolhardy and tried to dissuade him," (pg. 5). Although Chris did not listen to Gallien, he still impacted his life. -
The death of Crhis McCandless
Chris McCandless's body was found by moose hunters in the bus.Chris had no broken bones, but he lost a significant amount of weight. The autopsy revealed that he had died of starvation. "At the times of the autopsy, McCandless's remains weighted sixty seven pounds," (pg. 14).
