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What is the context of Into the Wild?
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The context of "Into the Wild" involves Jon Krakauer's fascination with Chris McCandless's mysterious death in the Alaskan wilderness, initially explored in a popular 1993 article. The book grew from this article, fueled by public debate over McCandless being either reckless or a tragic figure. Krakauer related to McCandless's youthful quest for adventure, challenging societal norms, and aimed to portray him sympathetically, reflecting on his own similar experiences.
The context is the circumstance out of which a book grows. In this case, Into the Wild emerged out of an article Krakauer wrote for Outside Magazine in January 1993 about the mysterious wilderness death of Chris McCandless. It became the most read and discussed article in the magazine's history. A fierce debate broke out over whether McCandless was a suicidal fool who never should have set foot in the Alaska wilds or a sympathetic figure whose death was a tragic accident.
The demonstrated audience appeal of the story made it possible for Krakauer to attract a publisher, as it was clear a book about McCandless would sell well.
Beyond that, as Krakauer states in the book, he felt a strong identification with Chris as a younger version of himself and wanted to write a sympathetic portrait of him. He even devotes a chapter of the book to his own...
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risky solo climbing adventure as a young man of Chris's age, noting that such activities are not meant to be suicidal but are a way youth tests itself. He notes that he, too, could easily have died had circumstances gone slightly a different way, so he makes a plea that Chris is not so much foolish as simply unlucky.
Rather broad question, but here goes:
Krakauer's interest in the story likely grew out of his own desire to challenge cultural norms, particularly when it came to taking on challenges of the great outdoors. He saw McCandless' story as a sort of epic struggle between the society and Chris' desire to live outside of the regular rules in a way.
Chris in some ways grew up with such huge advantages, a nice home, a nice school, admission to a top college like Emory and has all the opportunities that come along with it. But he still fought against it, eventually had to disappear and not be in contact with his family anymore, etc.
But those two forces are still obviously around and the story obviously draws a great deal of its power from the conflict between them.