Discussion Questions

1. What stylistic choices are made by Jon Krakauer to bring together different genres in this work?

Into the Wild is a work of non-fiction about the adventurous but short life of Chris McCandless. Jon Krakauer first covered the tragic demise of Chris in an abandoned bus in the wilderness of Alaska for Outsider magazine. He is, however, drawn to the spirit of the young man and begins to conduct an in-depth research into his prior to his death. In this process, he interviews Chris’ family members whom he had left behind to set out on his Alaskan odyssey. Krakauer also speaks to the strangers whom Chris had encountered during his travels and had formed close bonds with.

Krakauer chooses to write in a variety of styles, including a travelogue, investigative journalism, and a biography. When Chris had written an article on Chris’ death for Outside magazine, it was purely an investigative piece. As part of his research for the article, Krakauer had unearthed some preliminary information. Later, for the purposes of the novel, he pieced together this information to comment on Chris’ life and personality. Stylistic elements of the article can be seen in the novel in the way that Krakauer arranges the chapters and slowly unfolds information about Chris. Parts of the work that seem to be biographical are in-depth interviews of various people connected to Chris. Lastly, Krakauer provides a glimpse into his own mountain climbing days, making that section read like a memoir. The combined multi-genre approach makes this book richer.

2. What are the differing opinions that readers hold about Chris McCandless as a person after reading this novel?

Within the text, Jon Krakauer, the author, maintains an objective tone where he presents a letter from a former school teacher who claims that Krakauer is making a hero out of an unworthy and arrogant young man. He claims that only an unprepared human being could have not taken a map along or acclimatized himself with the area. Krakauer takes this feedback into account and counters it by sharing stories of young men in the past who had harbored a similar adventurous spirit and a desire to be in harmony with nature. Krakauer and his friends believed that Chris was not arrogant or entirely unprepared. He merely sought happiness in the wild.

3. What is the relationship between Chris/Alex and the strangers he meets during his journey?

Chris comes across as a very hard working, charming, and affable figure in the anecdotes shared by the people he met during the journey. His friends and family remember him as a bright young man with a lot of potential. He left that life to undertake this journey, leaving his family behind and donating his money to charity. During his years on the road, he met many strangers who came to know him by his adopted name, Alex Supertramp. They were the ones to help the officials in identifying the body. They all remember him as a wonderful person who left an impact on them. Jen and Ronald develop parental instincts for him after he reminds them of their respective kids. Wayne, who was his employer twice during the road trip, remembers Chris as a determined young man with a great work ethic.

4. What are the ways in which Krakauer resonates with Chris and how does that affect the work?

Krakauer can relate to Chris’ adventurous spirit since as a young he had also attempted to scale Devil’s Thumb. This is perhaps one of the reasons for which he wanted to do an in-depth research into Chris’ life. Chris’ ubiquitous drive to achieve freedom and not conform to societal pressure holds true for Krakauer too. Like Chris, he, too, believed that climbing a difficult peak and living amidst nature would change his life.

Further, Krakauer also shared a complex relationship with his father. Chris’ relationship with his father reminds Krakauer of his father’s unrealistic expectations of him. He remembers that his father was gravely disappointed when Krakauer decided to not pursue his father’s dream of becoming a doctor.

5. What is the importance of maps in Into the Wild?

There are many maps in the book that give readers a visual understanding of the lay of the land. This, however, is ironic considering that the lack of a proper map is said to have caused Chris’ tragic end. With the help of a map, Chris would have understood the area better sought help in the right direction. Map also serves as a necessary civilizational invention that guides humans charting their way around wilderness.