Why did McCandless find a surrogate family in Westerberg and his employees?

• A. He was attracted to the town's nightlife.
• B. He wanted to join the company's management.
• C. He preferred people with shared political views.
• D. His original family didn't fit him; Westerberg's crew felt like family.

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that McCandless was craving belonging and practical support, not just independence. He didn’t feel at home with his own family—the tensions and mismatched values left him feeling separate and misunderstood. When he connected with Wayne Westerberg and the people he works with, they treated him as a capable, valued part of the crew. They shared meals, offered companionship, and gave him a place to stay and work, which gave him a sense of family he hadn’t found at home. That warmth and sense of acceptance is why Westerberg’s crew felt like a surrogate family. The other options miss this core piece—the need for kinship and supportive connection—focusing instead on nightlife, ambition, or political views, which don’t capture why he formed that family-like bond with them.