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You know, I wanted to type out some sassy reply, but I keep failing to put my finger on what's romantic about it (even though I guess I "relate" to that positio

You know, I wanted to type out some sassy reply, but I keep failing to put my finger on what's romantic about it (even though I guess I "relate" to that position). I don't think it's the suicide aspect, and - maybe besides the point - personally I don't think the guy was trying to die (not anymore or less than a freeclimber). Maybe the Webster 1913 definition for "romantic" can help shed a light: > Characterized by strangeness or variety; suggestive of adventure; suited to romance; wild; picturesque; -- applied to scenery; as, a romantic landscape.

the_af 4y ago
Why sassy? I like that you didn't try that angle. I know what "romantic" means. I don't think McCandless was a romantic; I think he was reckless. His romanticism was entirely artificial -- Krakauer's opinion that he "threw away the map" on purpose since there are no really unexplored lands anymore hints at this -- and he didn't need to live this rough life, he strived to put himself in harm's way. Someone who crosses the highway with their eyes closes is not a romantic, they are simply stupid. And like I said in another comment, I think he completely misread Jack London and failed to learn the lesson from that writer: that wilderness is ruthless and will kill you the minute you let your guard down, or simply out of bad luck.