Thoreau/McCandless

When comparing Thoreau and McCandless, both have something in common as well as differences within them. One similarity is that both of them escaped from society and live how they want, not being surrounded by the classic stereotypes of life but rather live a simple life in harmony with nature. A difference is that Thoreau had a goal already, he wanted to live in the nature more of like a permanent place rather than temporary as McCandless. This can be perceived with the fact that McCandless traveled throughout USA and stayed in Alaska for a while and then was ready to move on. On the other hand, Thoreau built his house in the forest, having in mind to stay there and live maybe forever. McCandless had the mind of a carefree person, when he decided to burn everything, to erase his past so to say, whereas Thoreau expressed more of a mature picture, acting responsible.
Both Thoreau and McCandless appreciated nature. They preferred to live in nature over living in apartments, houses, in a more "luxury" way. Not being afraid of being surrounded by bugs, bacterias, when in society people get rid of them.
Thoreau might have affected McCandless with the reality of society, how life is so complex when being followed by rules, by the ideology of everyone, and so from there McCandless want to find the truth, want to experience what it is like being away of that society that he does not feel into.