Those who celebrate what he stood for, his courage and his perseverance to survive against all odds. There is also a group that condemns him for not being prepared and believes he is actually stupid. The latter group treats their unpreparedness and confidence as stupidity and arrogance. What this group doesn't see is that, based on Chris' philosophical views, his goal was to live as naturally as possible and live off the land for as long as possible. Idealism fueled his journey. The writers Chris considered prophets are Leo Tolstoy and Wallace Stegner. From these two came two very important quotes for Chris, which help outsiders understand him better. From Tolstoy, “I wanted excitement, danger, and the chance to sacrifice myself for my love. I felt an overabundance of energy within me that had no outlet in our quiet life” (13). And according to Stegner, “being relaxed has always exhilarated us. In our minds it is associated with escape from history, oppression, law and troublesome obligations, with absolute freedom, and the road has always led west” (13). Tolstoy's quote gives us the mentality of Chris McCandless and his restlessness in normal life. An example of his discomfort in society is when Chris worked in the town of Bullhead and rejected his partners at McDonald's, considering them "plastic" people. Stegner's quote may describe the kind of life Chris admired, such as that of Jan Burres and his life in the Slabs. The Slabs was described as the capital of tramps and car salesmen. It has been said that: "His voters are men, women and children of all ages, people fleeing from collection agencies, relationships gone bad, the law or the IRS, Ohio winters, the routine of the middle class " (31). This, for the most part, free life was what Chris was looking for. Coming from wealth and intellect, Chris appreciated the simple things in life, mainly nature and relationships