Into The Wild

Nitpreet Sandhu
E.R.W.C
Per: 8
Mr.Dorje
Into The Wild What could be the purpose of Jon Krakauer writing the book “ Into The Wild”? The author, Krakauer who had a common interest with Chris McCandless, which was the love of the outdoors, the author may relate to Chris and reflect upon his life. Krakauer, who had traveled to Alaska in 1974, Alaska also happens to be the spot where McCandless went to in 1992. Krakauer sees his reflection upon McCandless because feels that he and McCandless are very alike they both have similar hobbies. Krakauer starts to see McCandless as himself a little,Krakauer wants to get McCandless’s story to the people because he feels like they are the same person because they are very identical and he wants the world to know what actually happened to him. Krakauer still wants to find the motive of why McCandless went into the wilderness . Krakauer till this day still loves talking about McCandless, he still does slideshows just to tell people his story. Krakauer argues to the fact that people call McCandless an idiot or a “bush” for leaving his home and trying to survive in the wild without proper materials that are needed. Krakauer's main purpose is to get McCandless’s story out to the people and he wants to motivate the young audience to always to do what their mind/heart wants them to do despite what the society thinks and to be happy they way they want to live their life the way
they chose to live it. Krakauer expresses that “The trip was to be an odyssey in the fullest sense of the word, an epic journey that would change everything”( page 22). McCandless who started his journey right after graduating Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia on May 12th, 1990. Shortly after in July McCandless went to Nevada and shortly after a flood that was there McCandless started his journey first by foot. He started hitchhiking to numerous placed before finally getting to Alaska in April 1992. About 4 months later on August 18th or 19th McCandless was dead. Krakauer sees his reflection in McCandless because Krakauer himself in the year 1974. Krakauer was known for his love for the outdoors, he also loved writing books about nature and wildlife. Krakauer sees McCandless like himself and sees that McCandless shed society's materialism. Krakauer loved that fact McCandless did not feel concerned about society had to say or what they would think. Krakauer feels like McCandless can be used as a role model for the youth to look upon and get motivated to do what their minds wants them to do. Krakauer expresses that “Make a radical change in your lifestyle and begin to boldly do things which you may previously never have thought of doing, or been too hesitant to attempt." ( page ). Krakauer is trying to convey this message to the audience what ever thought or dream a individual may have, that they should at least attempt it. Krakauer in the book shows that McCandless was not someone that was illiterate or someone that was struggling, in Krakauer had just graduated out of Emory University. Krakauer writes this to show that McCandless going into the wilderness was not because it was McCandless’s last resort. McCandless could have been making a bunch of money but it was for his inner self peace, he wanted to do it because he wanted to for his inner self peace. Krakauer respects the fact the he went to do what his heart desired, that is why he oftens argues when people call McCandless stupid or crazy. Jon Krakauer sees his own reflection in Chris McCandless.
Krakauer presents the fact that “ As a youth, I am told, I was willful, self-absorbed, intermittently reckless, moody. Like McCandless, figures of male authority aroused in me a confusing melody…”( page 134). Here Krakauer starts to compare himself and McCandless saying that they had a similar childhood. Krakauer who had also went to Alaska in 1974 says that “...I would go to Alaska... I was twenty-three, a year younger than Chris McCandless when he walked into the Alaska bush” (page
135).