The Inspiration

http://www.biography.com/people/leo-tolstoy-9508518

Leo Tolstoy
Famous for the book(s): "War and Peace", and "Anna Karenina".
Favorite line(s): "I wanted excitement and danger and the chance to sacrifice myself for my love." (15)
Connection to Chris McCandless and his outlook on life: Chris McCandless was dead-set on running off into the wild and living out his dream. This quote reflects Chris' desire to explore despite the dangers of it, because he loved exploring so much.
Source: http://www.biography.com/people/leo-tolstoy-9508518

Anthony Storr
Famous for the book(s): "Solitude: A Return to the Self"

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/36033.Anthony_Storr

Favorite line(s): "It is true that many creative people fail to make mature personal relationships, and some are extremely isolated. It is also true that, in some instances, trauma, in the shape of early separation or bereavement, has steered the potentially creative person toward developing aspects of his personality which can find fulfillment in comparative isolation." (61)
Connection to Chris McCandless and his outlook on life: Many of the people that met Chris say he was very intelligent but also say he seemed like he didn't want any personal attachments. Chris was very different from his father and the differences separated them and likely caused Chris to develop his own personality that was okay with being isolated hence his want for solo exploration.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Storrh

http://www.edwardhoagland.com/

Edward Hoagland
Famous for the book(s): "The Final Fate of Alligators", and "Kwan's Coney Island".
Favorite line(s): "We have in America "The Big Two-Hearted River" tradition: taking your wounds to the wilderness for a cure, a conversion, a rest, or whatever." (70)
Connection to Chris McCandless and his outlook on life: Chris looked to the wild as an escape, a place to get away from the emotional baggage. This quote shows Chris' wanting to be cured of his longing to escape.
Source: http://www.edwardhoagland.com/


Favorite Quote: "The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates
What would Chris think? Would he "get it"?: I believe Chris would understand this quote and hold it near to him because he examined life and lived it and made his existence worth while doing what he loved.

Bolt Out of B-More

The thought of getting away from all of your problems in society sounds blissful to many, but only a few really act on their thoughts. Getting away from civilization, and problems, and life as you know it is something that takes guts. When you venture out on your solo journey to spiritual enlightenment via nature, you have to understand the potential dangers, and the definite consequences of your decision. You have to really want to get away. In "Into the Wild", Jon Krakauer not only talks about Chris, but he talks about Everett Ruess, the man who seemingly disappeared in 1934, Gene Rosellini, the mayor of "Hippie Cove", and John Waterman, the seemingly mentally ill young adult who died while attempting to climb Denali. I believe each one of these men really wanted to escape civilization, and that their adventures were well worth dying for. If I had no strings attached to my family, and could slip away without anyone noticing, I would. I would be escaping any emotional baggage, as Chris McCandless would say, I would be escaping problems, and most of all, I would be escaping the stress of living amongst other humans. I wouldn't miss having to wake up every morning and go about the same routine, I wouldn't miss having obligations, and I wouldn't miss the stress.