A Wild McDonald's?

Chris working at McDonald's was one of the most surprising things that he did. Chris was a young man who believed in living off the land and that big corporationsm were responsible for the decline of the country and the world; who went to work at one of the biggest corporations in the entire world. One of the only reasons that I can think of that he would do this is that he really wanted to see what corporate America was like and if he was doing the right thing. From his actions, it was quite obvious that he did not think this was so. His co-workers thought he was an old little fellow, but a nice enough guy. They thought he was a little stange because of his problems with socks. For whatever reason, he did not like enjoy or even be ok with wearing socks. This was probably one of the ways that he fought 'The Man". He would rip the socks off as soon as his shift was over as some sort of symbol. The only reason he wore any was because it was McDonald's policy. Obviously he needed the job and did not want to get fired.

The Burres' were the kind of people that would love a guy like Chris. Jan was an estranged mother and they were both drifters. Like Chris, they appreciated the earth and wanted to live an unencumbered life. They wanted to be free to travel and sell their wares. Chris was like these people in morals; not in reasons. They treated him like a son, but not so closely that he would be uncomfortable. It was actually mentioned later on in the book about his dislike of famliy and family like things. Fortunately, he did not become too uncomfortable with them until near the end of his relationship with them, just long enough for them to buy him things and take care of him. He cared about them' just not as much as they cared about him. At least he didn't show it.

Poor old Mr. Franz was one of the last people to meet Chris. Franz had lost his wife; Chris was alone with no one. Franz identified with him because of this loneliness. Franz wanted so badly to be a father to this boy or a friend at least. He actually wanted to adopt Chris as his grandson and asked him if he could before he left for Alaska. Sadly, this conflicted with Chris's no family foot loose life style. He told him he would give him an answer after his Alaskan Odyssey. Chris's death must have been a horrible blow to poor old Mr. Franz. A blow almost as terrible as the death of his own blood family. This might be why Franz used a pseudonym and not his real name. He did not want people's sympathy. Not again.