Into the Wild Summary
Into the Wild is a biography by Jon Krakauer about the life and death of Chris McCandless, who moved to Alaska in the hopes of living a simple life. Chris ultimately died of starvation.
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While in college, Chris McCandless learned that his father had a second, secret family. Following this revelation, Chris became increasingly distant from his friends and family, eventually embarking on an independent journey across the United States. His body was found two years later in the Alaskan wilderness.
- Krakauer assembles McCandless's journals, interviews with McCandless's family and friends, and photographs to trace McCandless's journey up until his death.
Summary
Into the Wild tells the story of Chris McCandless, a young man who ventured into the wilderness in search of truth and understanding. The book begins with the story of Jim Gallien dropping McCandless off at the mouth of the Stampede Trail, where McCandless would spend the last few months of his life, and ends with reflections on McCandless’s final moments on earth. Between these, we follow many of the adventures that Chris experienced in his three-year trek. Jon Krakauer uses investigative journalism to collect interviews, journal entries, and pictures that weave together the story of McCandless’s journey from affluence to transcendental wilderness exploration.
The story of McCandless’s descent into the wilderness traces back to issues with his family. The summer before he left on his journey, he took a trip out to California. He met people from his past and learned that his father, Walt, had a second family that he had kept secret from McCandless and his siblings. This revelation created a change in McCandless, and after he graduated from Emory University in the spring of the next year, he donated his savings fund, canceled his lease agreement, and drove west.
McCandless would not have contact with his family for the next two years, and they would not know where he was until his body was discovered in Alaska. After leaving his family at his college graduation in Georgia, McCandless drove his car to Arizona. However, after McCandless camped for some time in a dry riverbed, his car was hit by a flash flood. It then refused to start because it was wet, and he abandoned it along with many of his possessions.
McCandless’s journey took him all over the American Southwest as he hitchhiked from place to place. We learn about his time spent at the Slabs in California and at a grain harvesting company in South Dakota; we follow his unfortunate trip down the Colorado River into Baja California. His journey through the wild and forgotten places of North America helped him process the hurt done by his father. Throughout the book, we learn about the people Chris met and how they viewed him. Some of the essential relationships he developed were with Wayne Westerberg, Ronald Franz, and Bob and Jan Burres.
The relationships that McCandless built along the way reflect his journey from pain and hurt to revelation and recovery. His path was ultimately one of healing, in which he experienced the joys of spending one's life in the company of others and realized that the solitary retreat he took was not the end goal. McCandless concluded, “HAPPINESS ONLY REAL WHEN SHARED” (chapter 18)—noting for himself a lesson he learned while reading Doctor Zhivago in the Alaskan wilderness. McCandless was able to have a transcendent moment at the end of the story, but it was the realization that life is better when shared that helped him to see the deeper meaning in his existence.
The real tragedy of the story is that McCandless never had the chance to share his happiness or life with the people who meant the most to him, and he wasn't able to forgive his father. The reader is left with the meaning McCandless found: that a life worth living is one spent in the company of the people we love.
Expert Q&A
Why were authors Jack London, Leo Tolstoy, and Henry David Thoreau important to Chris McCandless in Into the Wild?
Authors Jack London, Leo Tolstoy, and Henry David Thoreau were significant to Chris McCandless due to their ideals of individualism, simplicity, and asceticism. Thoreau inspired McCandless's pursuit of a simplified life in nature, London influenced his desire to confront harsh environments, and Tolstoy's rejection of wealth resonated with McCandless's own background and aspirations. These writers collectively shaped McCandless's philosophy and his decision to seek a life aligned with their principles.
What might an impartial biography look like compared to Krakauer's work? Would it be better, worse, or too different? What conditions must a biography meet for the author to claim impartiality?
An impartial biography compared to Krakauer's work would avoid dramatization and personal bias, resembling a documentary style with straightforward, factual reporting. While Krakauer's narrative includes subjective interpretations and emotional tone, an impartial account would allow readers to form their own judgments. However, true impartiality is challenging due to inherent biases and personal perspectives. To claim impartiality, a biography must strive for objectivity, balance, and transparency, acknowledging the author's potential biases and influences.
Why does the author of Into the Wild cite letters and postcards written by Chris?
The author cites Chris McCandless's letters and postcards to provide insight into his thoughts and motivations, offering a direct glimpse into his ideals and goals. These writings also help establish a timeline of his journey, as Chris had no fixed travel plan beyond reaching Alaska. Through his own words, we understand his intelligence, societal reflections, personal growth, and the emotional connections he formed with others.
Did Krakauer's empathy for McCandless influence his judgement of Chris' actions?
Jon Krakauer's empathy for Chris McCandless indeed influenced his judgment in Into the Wild. Krakauer admits to not being an impartial biographer, as McCandless's story resonated with his personal experiences. This connection led him to overlook certain critical aspects, such as McCandless's possible mental health issues and lack of preparation. Krakauer's narrative blends factual storytelling with personal reflection, emphasizing McCandless's adventurous spirit while potentially downplaying his shortcomings.
Jon Krakauer's purpose for writing "Into the Wild."
Jon Krakauer's purpose for writing Into the Wild was to explore the life and motivations of Chris McCandless, a young man who ventured into the Alaskan wilderness seeking adventure and self-discovery. Krakauer aimed to understand McCandless's ideals and decisions, shedding light on his tragic journey and the broader themes of individualism, freedom, and the allure of the wilderness.
Jon Krakauer's process of gathering information and learning Chris McCandless's story for "Into the Wild."
Jon Krakauer gathered information and learned Chris McCandless's story for Into the Wild by interviewing people who knew Chris, examining Chris’s journals and letters, and retracing his steps. Krakauer also conducted extensive research on the locations Chris visited and the challenges he faced, piecing together Chris’s motivations and experiences to provide an in-depth narrative of his journey.
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