Final answer:
Jon Krakauer's 'Into the Wild' illustrates Chris McCandless's changing views on life, love, and intimacy as he lives in the Alaskan wilderness, revealing a shift from self-reliance to valuing human connections and the natural world.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild reveals a growing change in the protagonist, Chris McCandless, regarding his perspectives on life, love, and intimacy. As McCandless immerses himself into the Alaskan wilderness, his initial stringent beliefs and values begin to transform. He starts to appreciate the connections and intimacy that can exist with others, as well as the natural world around him. This progression is a stark contrast to his earlier stance of complete self-reliance and distancing from society. Krakauer captures this evolution through his narrative, paralleling McCandless’s experiences with those of literary figures like Henry David Thoreau in Walden, who also sought meaning through a solitary life in nature.
The shift in McCandless’s character not only reflects a change in attitudes towards life and society, but also demonstrates a deepening understanding of the value of relationships and love. This is especially notable when considering McCandless’s interactions with others he meets on his journeys prior to his Alaskan adventure, which slowly unravel his rigid outlook on life and open him to the possibilities of love and human connection. Krakauer uses this change to show how extreme experiences can lead to profound personal growth and change in one's approach to life.