Krakauer’s central message is that following your dreams isn’t always the right choice. By following his dreams, Chris gets himself killed. It is tragic because Chris is doing what he loves and is obviously enjoying the feeling of freedom. Chris is5 too ambitious for his own good. Krakauer shows this in the first chapter of the book, where Gallien says, “’I figured he’s be OK,’ he explains. ‘I thought he’s probably get hungry pretty quick and just walk out to the highway. That’s what any normal person would do’” (Krakauer 7). Krakauer shows that not only was Chris ambitious, he was stubborn, unwilling to give up. He was determined to fulfill his dream, which is what lead to his ultimate demise. It is here that Krakauer appeals to the sympathy
