My Response to Sam's Question (2)...

talbot_sam said...


This is an interesting observation Ameerah - what do your peers think? Schizophrenia is a deluded state, a mental illness, perhaps Alex was playing with identity and pushing boundaries, but I doubt he was experiencing this psychotic state in a clinical sense. By attending to himself as 'Alexander Supertramp' in his journals he is also referencing Niezche's 'Superman' ideal. Can you find out a bit about this ideal? What kind of a man was Niezche describing? And why do you think Alex alluded to this?


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Some of them believe in the idea of McCandless being mentally ill. Others, however, disagree to that and think of him as a hero and spiritual person.

 I considered this idea after reading a lot about his character and many things have drawn my attention such as changing his name to 'Alexander Supertramp' and refusing to let anyone to know his real identity.



He also wrote some letters to his best friend using the third person narrative which in my opinion makes him look unsatisfied enough about himself. He writes as if he is talking about a different person that has nothing to do with the real McCandless.



He refused to contact his parents or any of his old friends which means that he wanted to end any relation to the old McCandless even if it means forgetting his own parents.





I truly believe that there was something wrong about him. Otherwise, he wouldn't do what he has done.

 Regarding your question about Niezche's 'Superman' ideal, I tried to find out more about it but understood nothing.