Gabby Sanchez

Ms. Grubb

AP Language (2)

April 13th, 2017

Into the Wild Analysis

The nonfiction novel Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer is the story of Chris

McCandless, a recent college graduate that has come to the realization that he feels

trapped in his everyday life and decides he needs a break from society. Chriss story is

told with many different stylistic elements. Krakauer develops his style and tone expertly

through his incorporation of powerful diction, personal anecdotes, and an overall theme

of parallelism.

Throughout the novel, Krakauer depicts the weight of Chriss journey through his

choice of diction. Krakauer chooses to include very descriptive words in order to tell

Chriss story and this impacts the emotion that is evoked upon reading, more descriptive

words allowing one to fully comprehend the truth and hardship behind the type of

journey that Chris had taken. By using both positive and negative diction it is made

apparent how much Chris had to give up in order to do something so fulfilling.

Krakauer ties together the life of Chris to present life through the integration of

personal accounts from himself and those included in the story. This integration impacts

the novel by linking a more personal and direct account to the overall story being told.

For instance chapter 8 offering more of an outsider perspective on Chriss story by seeing

what readers of Krakauers article in Outside magazine had said about it all, whether

some thought he was mentally ill or in the right mind.

 The parallel presented with Chris was the most followed part of the novel. As

Chris seemed to grow, he seemed to deteriorate with every step he took closer to

becoming engulfed with life outside of society. This parallel places the reader between

Chriss want to continue living the dream on the road, away from societal influence and a

need to return to a more realistic lifestyle due to the dangers presented with life on the

road. Although it being less of an internal struggle and more of one with realism and

general life knowing that one cannot truly survive out in the wilderness without much

experience.

Jon Krakauer brings many ideas forth in his writing of Into the Wild and his

methods of storytelling do a wonderful job of showcasing his style as an author. Through

the integration of personal accounts, parallelism, and impactful diction his ability to

develop themes is made very apparent.