Use of Literary Techniques by Jon Krakauer When Writing Into the Wild

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In the novel “Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer, Krakauer tells the story of a Chris McCandless through different points of view perceived from people close to him. Despite the fact the Krakauer did not personally know Chris McCandless, Krakauer uses opinions from himself and others to help conclude meaning and impact behindMcCandless’s journey. Krakauer introduces events in the story in an order such that it also introduces the significance behind them. These techniques help the reader conclude the mystery behind Chris McCandless’s journey.

In the novel, Krakauer mentions that Chris McCandless’s changed his name to Alexander Supertramp, in which many of the people that he came in contact with called him. In the novel Krakauer introduces Wayne Westerberg through a letter that Chris McCandless wrote to him “ saying that “ he wants him to know that he is a great man”. Jim Gallien was the second character introduced that McCandless came in contact with. Gallien noticed Alex hitch hiking and gave him a ride to “Denali National Park” and also discovers that Alex is going to Alaska. However, he notices that Alex does not have the necessary equipment to survive and attempts to dissuade him of the dangerous adventure. Although he makes the attempt there is no changing Alex’s decision because of McCandless stubbornness to consider the credibility of any advice someone provides him with. In the story is appears as if these characters are people who help Chris McCandless along his journey and give him the help and support he needs to make it to Alaska.However Krakauer introduces these to subordinate characters to show people that McCandless came in contact with, but mainly to reveal them as a source of support for Chris McCandless. By men...

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...if his choice of details was intentional or not he told the story to the point that the reader can feel as if they are apart of it.

Krakauer’s techniques promote understanding and reasoning. So the readers interpret his use of romanticism and interviews as a way to promote veracity. For the reader to answer on their own all of the reason that lead up to why Chris McCandless failed to make it out of Alaska alive. He tells the story from interesting point of views and even leaves a final saying from McCandless that happiness is only with family and friends. Would McCandless have returned home after this trip or did the idea of dying make him change his thoughts. Or live his life in based on the saying “rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth”(Terra Incognita films).

Works Cited

Krakauer, Jon. Into the Wild. New York: Anchor, 1997. Print.

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