Chris Mccandless In Jon Krakauer's 'Into The Wild'

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Chapters 1-3 In the beginning, we learn that Chris McCandless is not like anyone else. Chris planned to “live off the land for a few months” (Krakauer 4). My initial thought was that Chris planned to die at his destination, after exploring the beauty of the area. I say this because Chris brought a minimum supply of food and gear for a great adventure. The author, Jon Kraukauer, ended the first chapter with Jim Gallien, a friend of Chris, saying, “I figured he'd be OK…I thought he'd probably get hungry pretty quick and just walk out to the highway. That's what any normal person would do" (Krakauer 7). By ending the chapter with this quote, Kraukauer gave me an ominous feeling because we know that Chris is not just any ordinary or normal person; …show more content…

"How is it," he [Walt] wonders aloud as he gazes blankly across Chesapeake Bay, "that a kid with so much compassion could cause his parents so much pain?” (Krakauer 104). The worst part is that Walt and Billie never got the chance to reconcile with their son. I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been for the McCandless family to move on. Regardless, they must find a way to cope with Chris’s death. Otherwise, they will not be able to survive. Krakauer adopts a more serious but pitiful tone as he talks about Chris’s childhood. Sadly, Chris’s childhood was not easy. Walt and Billie were always working. “In addition to the financial strain of exchanging a steady paycheck for the vagaries of self-employment, Walt's separation from his first wife left him with two families to support” (Krakauer 107). The fact that Chris was able to get along with at least two of his family members reassures the readers that Chris’s early years were somewhat enjoyable. These two people were Billie’s father, Loren Johnson, and Carnie McCandless. Loren was just as stubborn and dreamy as Chris, causing Chris to adore his grandfather. Carine and Chris were always close. “They'd been best friends from an early age, spending hours together building forts out of cushions and blankets in their Annandale living room” (Krakauer 110). Carine understood Chris the best because she also had to endure a tough childhood. Walt took Chris to his first overnight backpacking trip when he was eight years old. Chris was able to make the summit. In doing so, I believe that this is what made Chris feel that he can accomplish anything, as long as he sets his mind to it. At this point, Krakauer’s tone sounds admirable of Chris. This tone continues when Krakauer talks about Chris’s talents in running. Chris was also understanding and accepting. It did not matter to him that one of his

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