Into the Wild

motifs

Musical instruments; sublime nature; books; ascetics, artists and holy figures

3. Why does the author believe that McCandless was not suicidal?

Not suicidal bc it was a matter of chance to survive Since they wanted to defy death it was different than wanting to die

Chapter Eight: Alaska 1. What kind of reaction did Krakauer receive about his article in Outside magazine?

Ppl wrote in and think he is a coward -- especially from alaskans and see nothing positive

3. What is the purpose of including the full story of Gene Rossellini, Waterman, and McCunn?

Rossellini: *similar life to Chris - why added Waterman: Waterman expert mountaineer - chris was not Chris body found - waterman body not found McCunn:Show another parallel to Chris CHRIS IS NOT ALONE!!! -- ppl like him

3. What does Jan Burres recount about McCandless and his ability to survive in Alaska?

She told him that he need knives Maybe trade them down the road Accept some long underwear and warm clothing She was concerned but thought he would be fine in the end due to this past experiences

2. What attracted McCandless to Jack London's work?

Since childhood he has loved them Glorification of the world Mirrored his passions* ****Mesmerised by london's callings of Alaska

4. What does the last picture Chris McCandless took of himself reveal about him.

Skinny and emaciated but happy and at peace

2. What is the purpose of the detailed descriptions of Denali, and the Stampede Trail?

So you can better understand the setting and see the conditions that he had dealt with

3. What was the cause of Chris McCandless's death and how did the police know that it was he?

Stavation Took his photos he had taken of himself to identify him Autopsy *his signature had been on the SOS note and the photos include self portraits

Chapter Seven: Carthage 1.What is the author's analysis of the relationship between McCandless and his father?

Stubborn and high strung Walt needed control but Chris was independent -- polarization inevitable

3. From Carthage, McCandless sent Franz a long letter with advice and a summation of his philosophy. What did McCandless say about life, and what did he advise Franz to do?

Get out of habitual lifestyle and do something different, be in tune w nature and be a new man + new adventures

"As she studies the pictures, she breaks down from time to time, weeping as only a mother who has outlived a child can weep, betraying a sense of loss so huge and irreparable that the mind balks at taking its measure. Such bereavement, witnessed at close range, makes even the most eloquent apologia for high-risk activities ring fatuous and hollow. (132)

Billie

2. How did McCandless's parents react when they saw the bus in which their son died?

Billie was at peace/pretty place and walt has little to say Billie gazed at sons boots, still smelt like chris Walt installs a memorial inside the door

2. Describe Walt McCandless and the friction with his son.

Chris had a troubled and very angry relationship with his father. This relationship--or Chris's rejection of it-- was centrally important to motivating Chris's behavior in the few years he had between graduating from college and dying in Alaska.

Jan Burres

A "rubber tramp" couple who pick up McCandless off Highway 101 in Northern California. Jan develops a motherly attachment to Chris. Chris sends her postcards every few months.

Everett Russ

A twenty-year old Californian who walks into the Utah desert in 1934 and never returns.

Jim Gallian

Drives McCandless to The Stampede Trail. He gives Chris his boots and some food. He is the last person to see McCandless alive.

2. What was the last achievement McCandless noted in his journal?

Made it to 100 days

symbols

The bus; Alex's belt; books

1. What is the purpose of the Author's Note? What are Krakauer's credentials?

to explain why he wrote the book

Chapter Thirteen: Virginia Beach 1. What is the implication of the quotation from John Haines

to show that Chris was gonna `Leave from ppl and thoughts -- never look back

Gene Rossellini

A man who experiments with living without the help of modern conveniences for more than a decade. He eventually grows disillusioned with his caveman existence and kills himself.

2. How does the reader know that War and Peace was important to McCandless?

Because the author wrote that Chris had transferred it to Wayne with notes on the inside stating as much.

John Waterman

A gifted alpinist who successfully scales Mt. Hunter, but after several attempts to climb Denali becomes psychologically unhinged and recklessly walks out onto the glacier, allowing himself to fall into its giant crevices.

2. Why does the author include the story of his encounter with the "Mayor of Hippie Cove"?

Agitated man Long haired transient Real name gene - good athlete Good grade point av. good school - anthro history Decided to devote his life to be like Chris Interested in knowing to be independent of modern technology - humans inferior beings *want to return to natural state

Carl McGunn

An absented-minded Texan who spends a summer camping in the Alaskan bush, but forgets to arrange for a pilot to pick him up at the end of the season. He ends up perishing because he fails to properly flag down a passing plane.

Ronald A. Franz

An eighty-year-old man who drives McCandless from Salton City, California to Grand Junction, Colorado. He develops a fatherly fondness for Chris. After McCandless dies, Franz follows the young man's advice to lead a nomadic life on the road. Chris writes to him often.

Chapter Four: Detrital Wash 1.What was ironic about the rangers' use of the Datsun?

Bc Chris thought it was worthless when it didn't work after flood, but actually it worked really well and drove for a long time w the police department

2.What was the purpose of the analysis about whether McCandless shot a moose or a caribou?

Bc someone said he was stupid because he could decipher between the two but he could and that again showed he was smart

3. After the moose incident, what was "the first of two pivotal setbacks"?

Beaver ponds denied access to the river Huge lakes converting trail River is really high and strong

Chapter Eleven: Chesapeake Beach 1. How does the rhythm of the story change here, and why would the author leave out important events such as the time that has elapsed between Chris's death and his parents knowledge?

Chris's actions had a devestating impact beyond just his own fate. As friend after friend hears about the unidentified hiker found dead in the Alaskan wilderness and becomes sure that it is McCandless, his carelessness stops seeming just stupid or foolhardy, but it starts to seem actually cruel, and this is especially emphasized when Krakauer visits McCandless's parents at their home, and sees firsthand the pain that Chris's disappearance and death has caused them.

Samuel Walter "Walt" McCandless

Christopher McCandless's father. Walt McCandless is an intense, brilliant engineer with top-secret security clearance and experience in jet propulsion and sensor and satellite system design. Walt McCandless radiates authority and intelligence. Walt is somewhat taciturn, and when he does communicate he is straightforward in a manner that leaves little room for politeness. Before he legally married Billie McCandless, Christopher's mother, Walt McCandless maintained a relationship with his first wife, acting as the father and head of two families at once.

Billie McCandless

Christopher McCandless's mother. Billie married Christopher's father when she was twenty-two. The two frequently fought, which had the effect, among other things, of forging a close bond between Christopher and Carine. After his death, Billie is overcome with grief, but maintains a strength that Krakauer describes in the book's epilogue.

Carine McCandless Fish

Christopher McCandless's younger sister. Outgoing, musical, athletic and hardworking, Carine was one of her brother's closest friends. She hopes to become a millionaire while she is still young. She is accomplished, smart and socially adept as well as beautiful, a trait that McCandless stresses when he describes her to other people. Unlike her brother, she engages in relationships with others and is married to a man with whom she co-owns a small business.

3. What else did he include in the same entry, and what does this reveal about his state of mind?

Death looms a serious threat -- too weak -- knows he will die

2. What is the personal history of Chris McCandless?

Doesn't like his family; breaks rules; very intelligent Chris McCandless was a stellar student in high school and college, but was always a bit different. To him happiness in simplicity and the search for the meaning of life were the two things he sought.

Chapter Five: Bullhead City 1. Describe the conditions and the residents of the Slabs. Note some of the local color that makes this community memorable.

Flea market Old navy base Retried, exiled, and unemployed people Men and children of all ages

3. What existential conclusion does McCandless reach when leaving Las Vegas?

He believed that pictures are not important - it's the experiences, memories, and the joy of living life to the fullest. (existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes that individual responsibility and free will to direct the course of their life)

4. What change did McCandless make to symbolize the new life he expected to build?

He changed his name as an official way of showing himself and others that he was no longer Chris McCandless, just a small entity in a commercialized world, but now Alex Supertramp, master of his own destiny, free to do what his will demand.

3. What clues did McCandless give that he was against modern commercialism?

He refused to buy or receive gifts and he argued with his parents over the commercialism of society today. Chris also found titles and honors to be irrelevant. He lived off campus in bad conditions.

2. Describe three incidences of foreshadowing at the end of this chapter. What is suggested?

He sends postcards to Burres and Westerberg from Alaska. He is about to inter "into the wild" and comments that he might not make it out alive. Chris also leaves Westerberg his journal and photo album for safe keeping. Chris always had his journal with him. Chris also seemed to say goodbye to people as if it was final.

2. Analyze Chris's crossing of the Teklanika, "as a crossing of the Rubicon."

He waded in the water -- cross probably high deep -- bc water was low a fateful decision because within the next few months, he couldnt return bc the water was too high

Foreshadowing

In many of his encounters with other people, Christopher McCandless eats enormous meals and attracts comment because of his obvious hunger. This foreshadows his death by starvation. McCandless often loses his way or makes relatively harmless blunders before he enters the Alaska wilderness. These blunders reflect the larger mistakes he will make that end with his death. Krakauer often goes into thorough detail describing botanical species, particularly at the openings of chapters. This foreshadows his research into the various plants and finally the mold that likely led to McCandless's death. Mentions of mountain climbing and risk-taking in several chapters lead as foreshadowing in the chapters that detail Krakauer's own near-death experience attempting to summit an Alaskan glacier.

Chapter Nine: Davis Gulch 1. Summarize story of Everett Ruess. What are the main theories about how Ruess died?

In utah, went into desert and never came out Born in cali Family was nomadic 1st solo trip @ 16 - always on road Cheerfully went hungry and deliberately punished body and no fear of death Adopted new name - nemo Fell to his death while scrambling on canyon wall Murdered by team of cattle wrestlers Might still be alive Drowned - discovered the name in mud next to river Trying to swim across then drowned

Chapter Two: The Stampede Trail 1. Explain the introductory remarks from author Jack London.

Krakauer provides a quote from Jack London's White Fang about the mirthless and merciless frozen Northern wilderness. This quote sets the tone for the chilling struggle for survival which is about to unfold. . It sets the mood and is really is the beginning of what is going to happen to him in the chapter. (1)

Chapter Six: Anza Borrego 1. What does Krakauer think about the relationship between Franz and McCandless?

Krakauer thought that McCandless affected a lot of people but the outcome was not always necessarily for the better. BIGGEST IMPACT ON FRANZ'S LIFE Father like son relationship and spent a lot of time together (did laundry together)

As a youth, I am told, I was willful, self-absorbed, intermittently reckless, moody. I disappointed my father in the usual ways. Like McCandless, figures of male authority aroused in me a confusing medley of corked fury and hunger to please. If something captured my undisciplined imagination, I pursued it with a zeal bordering on obsession, and from the age of seventeen until my late twenties that something was mountain climbing. (134)

Krakaur compares himself to McCandless

2. Why did McCandless relationship with his parents deteriorate his sophomore year?

Learned about the dad's other family Called family members to piece together story

2. Ken Sleight has studied the story of Everett Ruess and discussed Chris McCandless with the author. What is Sleight's conclusion about the two young men?

Like companionships but can't stand around ppl too long - Get themselves lost, and then come back and then leave again Tried to follow dream

Chapters Fourteen-Fifteen: The Stikine Ice Cap 1. What is the purpose of this chapter? How does it differ in point of view from earlier chapters, and how does it related to the story of Chris McCandless?

Talked about ppl in life -- shaped him How much family cared about him Family showing more sympathy and remorse and don't understand angry

themes

The impossibility of total self-reliance; Nature confounding human intentions; The difficulty of escaping familial influence

Bud Walsh

The park ranger who discovers Chris' abandoned yellow Datsun in Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

3. What is the purpose of the quoted material at the start of Chapter One?

The quote really opens up the chapter. It demonstraits what Chris was doing, what he thought he was doing, and what he expected from it. It sets the mood and is really is the beginning of what is going to happen to him in the chapter. (1)

3. How do the stories of Sir John Franklin and the author's friend, Roman, fit into the story?

They are both precied to have a lack of humility and insufficient respect for the land

Chapter Three: 1. What is the difference between the cultures of rubber tramps and leather tramps?

They describe a life of living on the edge, basically vagabonds. Rubber tramps are wanderers who have vehicles; leather tramps are wanderers who do not.

Chapter Twelve: Annadale 1. Why does Krakauer go into such detail about Chris's speech and gift at the graduation party?

To maybe foreshadow that it was going to be his last goodbye. He got his father a very expensive telescope is gift and Chris was emotional And said that he was grateful and said he respect his dad then left

Chapter Ten: Fairbanks 1. What information appeared in the New York Times about the death of Chris McCandless?

Told he was found dead but said not certain of who he was and tried to save himself by hunting and eating plants - plead for help - died of starvation

Epilogue 1. Who was on the trip described in the Epilogue? What was the purpose of the trip?

Walt billie and Krakauer So billie and walt could get closer and see what really happened. why their son would come here

Chapter Sixteen: The Alaska Interior 1.What was ironic about McCandless's route out of Fairbanks passing the Geophysical Institute?

Walt had done a lot of work there

2. What is it that Carine's mother could not understand about the photos she looked at?

Why he had to take that kind of chance why he would go out into the wild and do something like that

2. What is noticeable about Chris's journal writing style in his account the Mexican adventure?

Writes in third person People are nicer and positive!! Sections are brief

Chapter Eighteen: The Stampede Trail 1.What makes the author think that McCandless was ready to re-enter the world?

Wrote/bracketed happiness is only real when shared

2. What is Oh-My-God Hot Springs? What literary term can be associated with the name?

a winter refuge for hippies and nomads, that is close to Chris' campsite symbol of "itinerant society" and the transient, alternative culture of nomads and hitchhikers

Wayne Westerberg

assists McCandless early in his wanderings and becomes a close friend. Westerberg is a convicted felon who served a short sentence for a victimless crime involving the piracy of television signals. He is also a talker with a taste for Jack Daniels who brings out McCandless's social side.

Chapter Seventeen: The Stampede Trail 1. How does Krakauer describe the hike to the bus and the area?

he said the river was very high and the area was beautiful. could see why he would come to place like this

2. What is the purpose of including allusions to Nietzsche and Kerouac?

he was inspired by their works about their climbing experiences

4. What is ironic about Gallien's statement that McCandless would "...probably get hungry pretty quick and just walk out to the highway like any normal person would"?

its ironic because McCandless ends up starving in the wild and never returns to civilization