Chris McCandless example essay topic

There are some works of literature, fiction and non-fiction, drama and films that expose distressing truth to their readers. Sometimes the responses to these shocking truths aren't always positive ones. The American society is not accustomed to accept the realities that happen behind the doors of the companies that keep the country running. That is not the only reason though. It's not just that we don't like hearing negative truths about the country, but hearing it about ourselves as well.

One case in which these types of scenarios are present is in The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. Sinclair took Chicago during the Industrial Revolution and exposed it for what it really was. He revealed the corruption that happened in the meat packing industry as well as other industries. He showed the way consumers back then were purchasing food that could not have been more impure. This was shown when he indicated how the cows infected with tuberculosis and other diseases were slaughtered without inspection and still given to the public as Grade A meat. This exposing information was considered shocking because no one had ever had any idea that these industries were so dishonored and disgraceful.

The environment was also very biologically hazardous in terms of chemicals, blood diseases and extreme weather conditions, either freezing cold or scorching hot weather. Through Upton Sinclair's book was it possible for the public to be aware of these horrendous truths. Once these facts were out in the open for the public to devour, controversy and debate were born. This story launched a government investigation. Once everyone saw what had really happened and how badly the industrial workers were treated, especially those who were immigrants, it became the new topic of conversation. Everything from laws to history books changed.

In reality, no attempts were made to rectify these truths. These events had really happened and there was no other way to face it. No matter how much the public was disgusted as well as shocked by these truths they had to face them. This was part of history now and there was no going back. Finally the country saw how they had been consumed and obsessed by money and what it had caused them to do. Another occasion in which a shocking revelation was indicated was in Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer.

The story centers on Christopher Johnson McCandless, a college graduate who decided to leave his wealthy life and hitchhike to Alaska in 1991. Shocking information revealed in this book was the fact that Chris McCandless was able to survive for so long with just some essential necessities. This was considered shocking because it demonstrated how materialistic society was. With cell phones and palm pilots, which many people think they can't live without, Chris McCandless survived devoid of.

Chris McCandless, as well as Jon Krakauer, exposed this revelation through this book as well as through letters and events that Chris McCandless wrote about. The book showed how Chris found several jobs to earn some money. It talked about the people he met, what he would talk to them about and how he would act. For example, Chris refused to accept any kinds of gifts to make his trip easier. He wanted to accomplish this on his own, and he knew he could while others doubted it. Once this book was published it got some very interesting feedback from its readers.

Many of them thought that Chris was a fool for believing that he could have survived Alaska with the few things he had. Others agreed with his points of view and understood why he did what he did. All of these different points of views helped the topic and depth of Chris McCandless's journey flourish. These different letters sent from readers explaining their points of view were the attempts made to rectify the story. Both of these books clearly show some very shocking information that I believe to be extremely significant. The book The Jungle showed the horrifying events that occurred in Chicago's meat packing industry.

I consider this book to be significant because we can't expect to understand what happens now in the world if we don't know what happened before today, before all of our technology even existed. I also have reason to believe that Into the Wild is an important book because it shows one man's journey through the wilderness to find some meaning. To see that there was more to life than stock options and expensive cars. These kinds of revelations have much greater meaning than most people perceive them to have. All we need is to open the book and the possibilities are endless.