Chris McCandless's interaction with Wayne Westerberg in Into the Wild reveals several key aspects of his attitudes toward money, work, and society. When McCandless meets Westerberg, he is at a point where he is seeking genuine human connections and a sense of purpose beyond material wealth.
His disdain for conventional societal values is evident in how he views work and money. He often associates them with the emptiness of materialism and the routines of modern life. McCandless seeks a more authentic existence, distancing himself from the societal expectations tied to financial success and the nine-to-five grind.
Westerberg, who represents a more traditional lifestyle grounded in hard work and entrepreneurship, offers McCandless a glimpse into a different way of living. However, McCandless's appreciation for Westerberg's kindness contrasts with his reluctance to fully embrace the conventional lifestyle. He values the freedom of the open road and the unpredictability of life over financial stability.
This interaction underscores McCandless's broader philosophical beliefs, which critique societal norms and advocate for a deeper connection with nature and self-discovery. He often glorifies the idea of a simple, minimalist lifestyle, one that is not driven by monetary concerns but rather by personal freedom and exploration. Ultimately, McCandless's encounter with Westerberg emphasizes his complex relationship with the systems of money and work, illustrating his quest for meaning in a world that he perceives as overly materialistic and constraining.