To be able to realize McCandless’ true effect to himself and the community he was around, we must dwell inside …show more content…
What connects Rena to McCandless is not her apparent airheadedness, mediocre education, or underlying murderous psychosis; Chris McCandless completely differs from Rena in this way. However, Rena’s complex behavior in times of amusement or trouble, attitude towards friends and allies, and relationship with her peers is a definite parallel between the two characters. Both Rena and McCandless come from a rather similar family background. Parents with well paying jobs, parents that loved them, but one parent who - rather unfortunately - chose to adulterate themselves with someone who is not their significant other. Neither Rena’s mother nor McCandless’ father confess about their sin, which drives both Rena and McCandless to take their first step of their adventure. Chris McCandless highlights in his copy of Doctor Zhivago, “Everything had changed suddenly… There was no one around, neither family nor people whose judgment you respected…” It is seen in this quote that McCandless has lost his affinity to friends and family because of the unearthing of his father’s secret, and Ryuuguu Rena does exactly the same. After discovering such infidelity in her own mother, Rena loses the ability to trust those around her, as shown when she admits to her own best friends that family and friends “...are nothing more than the people who you spend the fun, yet meaningless times with. When those times get rough, they aren't there to support you.” Such distraught from those around them can be explained with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. When the third step of the hierarchy - “belonging in family and friends” - is unable to be fulfilled, the steps above it cannot be materialized, that is, “esteem and self-actualization.” When the third step of the hierarchy