Summary Of Into The Wild By Jon Krakauer

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The way Krakauer writes this story is very different from most other books. He writes it in nonlinear narrative, a literary technique used when writing linearly has many more disadvantages. It works in this particular story because one’s interest is peaked right off the bat as he describes how Chris McCandless was found dead in an abandoned bus. The text states “Chris McCandless had been dead for two and a half weeks” (Krakauer 13). This scenario raises many questions such as “How did he get there?” and “How did he die?”. These questions will cause the reader to continue with the book to receive answers. Another way Krakauer writes this book is using anecdotes from his own life and other people’s lives. An example of this is when Krakauer …show more content…

I think that Chris was very immature because he underestimated the power of nature and didn’t think of the necessary precautions. For example, he thought he could make it in the alaskan wilderness without a map or a compass. The text states “If McCandless had possessed a U.S. Geological Survey topographic map, it would have alerted him to the existence of a Park Service cabin on the upper Sushana River…” (Krakauer 196). I also think he was going on all these journeys to prove something to his parents or another person. I think he wants to prove that he is better than his parents since he and his family had a falling out before he left. This falling out was because because Walt McCandless was living a double life with his previous wife. After Chris found out, their relationship went downhill. The text states “When Walt’s double life came to light, the revelation inflicted deep wounds. All parties suffered terribly” (Krakauer 121). However I don’t think that McCandless was mentally ill. Chris’s letters are presented to the reader, and he is not deranged in the slightest. In addition to his well crafted letters, most of the people that met Chris say he is very intelligent. The text states “He seemed extremely intelligent, Franz states…” (Krakauer 51). Overall, Chris was not mentally ill, rather lacking common

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