Beliefs are what define humans not as a society, but as individuals. Individualism constitutes a large part of Transcendentalism, a movement started in the mid-19th century and led by figures such as Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Into the Wild, written in 1997 by Jon Krakauer, is a modern novel that examines a transcendentalist young adult. This young man is Chris McCandless, who left his family at the age of 23 to live the transcendentalist dream. He hitchhikes and crosses many rivers and towns to get to Alaska, the place where he thinks he can finally make this dream come true. Transcendentalism is the idea that humans are one with nature, and therefore with God, and that nature is the only place humans belong because society is poisonous. By having fun and connecting with God through the environment in a secluded location, Chris McCandless demonstrates that he is a faithful transcendentalist. Because he is a true believer, Chris McCandless is a very spiritual person. Although he never claims to be part of a specific religion, he believes in a certain divine presence; an important part of being a transcendentalist. At the end of the book, as Chris nears his inevitable death, he writes a farewell note to anyone who finds his body. In his final note, he is very euphoric, and does not at all regret his decision to venture into the Alaskan bush: “I HAVE HAD A HAPPY LIFE AND THANKS THE LORD. GOODBYE AND GOD BLESS EVERYONE! (199). Because he said he had a happy life and thanked the Lord, it is clear that Chris appreciates the spirituality of transcendentalism. It takes real dedication and appreciation in Chris' final moment to write about spirituality, which is why he includes...... in the middle of the article...... an exemplary devotee. Due to certain traits exhibited by Chris, he is representative of the true meaning of transcendentalism. For example, he is always enchanted by nature, seeking its unlimited freedom wherever he is. He also sees it as a place of rebirth, a way to escape his old life and start again. Furthermore, he has no need of others, as he holds nature more dear than any human he knows. Eventually he finds spirituality in the desert, as he directs all his positive feelings toward a tangible image of a higher power. All of these reasons support the fact that Chris is a true believer. Because Chris enjoys being in nature, derives spiritual meaning from it, and views it as a place of rebirth, he is a prime example of transcendentalism. Work Cited Krakauer, Jon. In nature. New York: Anchor Books, 1997. Print.