Jon Krakauer is an American writer and mountaineer most known for his writings about the
outdoors. His first encounter with the controversial story of Christopher Johnson McCandless
began in 1992 shortly after the death of McCandless. The journey of McCandless was widely
publicized and drew the inquisitive eyes of many across the nation. After being assigned to write
an article for the Outside magazine, Krakauer began to dwell further into the story of Chris
McCandless. Although he was one of the many fascinated with the life of McCandless,
Krakauer, unlike others, found that he was able to relate with the ideals of McCandless and this
further expanded his interest. Throughout the story, Krakauer offers insight into his own life …show more content…
Due to this connection, Krakauer began to investigate deeper into the tale of
McCandless. His interest in McCandless later prompts him to write a novel about his life.
the Devil’s Thumb. Krakauer greatly parallels McCandless in the sense that they both
possess a fascination and yearning to “[steal] up to the edge of doom and [peer] over the
brink” (155-156). They both seek the thrill of danger and appear to appreciate nature
greatly. His experience is similar to that of McCandless’ in the fact that if Krakauer
had died, he believes that the public would have treated him as a suicidal adolescent.
However, he thinks contrary of this and believes that facing peril differs from being
merely suicidal. Like McCandless, the author held ideals about the corruption of society
and the need to seek the thrill of life.
Chris McCandless is an intelligent, young Emory graduate who entertained
After his graduation from Emory University in 1990, McCandless gives away
McCandless’ adoption of his new name offers insight into his character and
An avid reader, McCandless enjoys the works of prominent authors such …show more content…
• “The unnamed peaks towering over the glacier were bigger and comelier and infinitely more
menacing than they would have been were I in the company of another person. And my
Lin 8
emotions were similarly amplified: The highs were higher; the periods of despair were deeper
and darker” (138).
• “The accumulated clutter of day-to-day existence — the lapses of conscience, the unpaid bills,
the bungled opportunities, the dust under the couch, the inescapable prison of your genes—
all of it is temporarily forgotten, crowded from your thoughts by an overpowering clarity of
purpose and by the seriousness of the task at hand” (143).
Distinctive Characteristics of the Work:
The most prominent characteristic of the novel is the lack of order. Rather than following
the traditional chronological found in most books, Krakauer instead places the events of Chris
McCandless’s life out of order. The author effectively employs this technique with the intention
to allow the reader better understanding of the McCandless’s story. Since the story of
outdoors. His first encounter with the controversial story of Christopher Johnson McCandless
began in 1992 shortly after the death of McCandless. The journey of McCandless was widely
publicized and drew the inquisitive eyes of many across the nation. After being assigned to write
an article for the Outside magazine, Krakauer began to dwell further into the story of Chris
McCandless. Although he was one of the many fascinated with the life of McCandless,
Krakauer, unlike others, found that he was able to relate with the ideals of McCandless and this
further expanded his interest. Throughout the story, Krakauer offers insight into his own life …show more content…
Due to this connection, Krakauer began to investigate deeper into the tale of
McCandless. His interest in McCandless later prompts him to write a novel about his life.
the Devil’s Thumb. Krakauer greatly parallels McCandless in the sense that they both
possess a fascination and yearning to “[steal] up to the edge of doom and [peer] over the
brink” (155-156). They both seek the thrill of danger and appear to appreciate nature
greatly. His experience is similar to that of McCandless’ in the fact that if Krakauer
had died, he believes that the public would have treated him as a suicidal adolescent.
However, he thinks contrary of this and believes that facing peril differs from being
merely suicidal. Like McCandless, the author held ideals about the corruption of society
and the need to seek the thrill of life.
Chris McCandless is an intelligent, young Emory graduate who entertained
After his graduation from Emory University in 1990, McCandless gives away
McCandless’ adoption of his new name offers insight into his character and
An avid reader, McCandless enjoys the works of prominent authors such …show more content…
• “The unnamed peaks towering over the glacier were bigger and comelier and infinitely more
menacing than they would have been were I in the company of another person. And my
Lin 8
emotions were similarly amplified: The highs were higher; the periods of despair were deeper
and darker” (138).
• “The accumulated clutter of day-to-day existence — the lapses of conscience, the unpaid bills,
the bungled opportunities, the dust under the couch, the inescapable prison of your genes—
all of it is temporarily forgotten, crowded from your thoughts by an overpowering clarity of
purpose and by the seriousness of the task at hand” (143).
Distinctive Characteristics of the Work:
The most prominent characteristic of the novel is the lack of order. Rather than following
the traditional chronological found in most books, Krakauer instead places the events of Chris
McCandless’s life out of order. The author effectively employs this technique with the intention
to allow the reader better understanding of the McCandless’s story. Since the story of