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Savannah Oakes
Prof. Intawiwat
UWRT 1102-091
Why Chris Mcandless Isnt Selfish Proposal
Proposal: I want to research more in-depth the question of, why do people consider
Chris Mcandless selfish? and, what kind of people do or do not consider Chris to be
selfish?
What I know: During class I have listened to multiple students say their own opinions
on Chris and how he went about his great adventure. Some people say he was
courageous, but others say that he was a coward and selfish. I want to prove that fact
(or at least sway some opinions) that Chris was not selfish for wanting to make himself
happy.
Why?: I chose this subject, because it seems that my opinions is a minority in the
classroom. From what I have heard during class, the popular opinion is that Chris is
selfish person, who only thought of himself. That interests because, in my opinion, Chris
was not selfish at all. I look up to Chris for what he did, I find it amazing. Thats why I am
so puzzled to the fact that not everyone can see or understand that.
Questions:
1. When Chris burned the last of his money, some people were astonished, but how
come some people saw that as freeing rather than ludicrous?
2. Why do some people live by the norms of society, while others feel suffocated by its
constraints on life?
3. Why do some people fulfill dreams, with others do not?
4. Could the difference between people who seek dreams and people who do not be
genetic or environmental? Nature vs Nurture?
5. Is satisfying everyone around worth denying your own happiness?
6. Why do people expect others to put their own beliefs and dreams aside for others?
7. Chris denied relationships all throughout his journey, but when it came to the end he
said happiness is only real when shared, what changed his mind?
8. Chris fulfilled his parents wishes of a college career, that is four years of his life he
never really wanted to live, how could someone consider that selfish?
9. What is the definition of selfish?
10. Lives are meant to be lived, should we let other people stand in the way of our own
happiness?
Primary Inquiry Questions:
1. When Chris burned the last of his money, some people were astonished, but how
come some people saw that as freeing rather than ludicrous??
2. Could the difference between people who seek dreams and people who do not be
genetic or environmental? Nature vs Nurture?

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Research: To answer my questions I think the most beneficial thing would be to ask
random people their own opinions on the subject. I could research articles questioning
the fact of wether or not Chris was selfish or not for what he did as well. But, I think the
tactic that would produce the best information would be just to talk to people. Find out
what their answer is, and then maybe assess their own personality. I want to know the
differences in the people who consider Chris selfish or courageous. To go along with my
second question, I think assessing peoples

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personalities and trying to correlate them to their answer on the subject would be a
really neat idea.
Results: If my results become are to numerous and I need to narrow my subject, I
would narrow it to assessing Chris own personality. I could identify different traits within
him that made him a little different from everyone else. I consider that to be a little more
narrower of a subject. On the contrary, if my results are too little, I could broaden my
subject by changing it to comparing Chris to other adventurers. Maybe finding what
Chris did different or the same as others who wanted to survive and thrive in the
Alaskan wilderness.