Into the Wild Chapters 6-9 - TheUtmostTrouble Forum

Into the Wild 6-9

cgoulet26 — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 13:29:59 +0000

I have a conflicted perspective of how I think Krakauer feels about McCandless. While on one hand, it feels like Krakauer really hones in on how unprepared and and reckless this was for McCandless to do, it does seem like he really idolizes McCandles and thinks it was a very bold move and admirable of someone to do to put so much effort and dedication into his cause. Although in the end he ended up being unsuccessful he did make a good attempt.

I do agree with how Krakauer views McCandless. I also feel like randomly deciding this is what he wants to do and just heading off without telling anyone, doing any research, or preparing himself with any useful supplies was a very dumb move. I do also admire his dedication and I find it inspiring that he put his mind to what he wanted to do and did so without accepting much help from anyone at all. He was very headstrong and determined to achieve what he had set out to do and I feel that is a very interesting characteristic about him. I do definitely feel like he was an idealist with a dream. Although he definitely could have been successful if he put more thought into preparation, I do still find it admirable that he had the courage to set out and embark upon such a journey completely on his own.

Chapters 6-9

ofrench27 — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 01:32:28 +0000

I think that in Into the Wild, Krakauer is pretty forgiving of McCandless. It seems like he admires McCandless having the courage and ambition to go on his journey. Krakauer often defends McCandless against critics. Krakauer doesn’t ignore the fact that McCandless may have made mistakes along the way, but he is very clear that he respects Krakauers pursuit for freedom was worth minor mess ups.

I view McCandless as an idealist with the courage to persue his dreams and as someone who was underperpared and overconfidant. I think Krakauer feels the same. He admires Chris for his passion for exploring and is empathetic instead of critical. I respect his determination and ambition but I think his death does show the dangers of being underprepared and overconfidant.

Into The Wild 6-9

cgoulet26 — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 19:08:38 +0000

Into The Wild Chapters 1-9

areardon26 — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 02:27:44 +0000

In the book, Krakauer has many different ways of portraying his opinions and views of McCandless the whole time. He struggles to find a good balance between seeing McCandless’s actions as meaningful or needing criticism. Oftentimes, opting into both. I think the question of whether Krakauer is being too hard or forgiving of McCandless is entirely dependent on the reader's opinion and point of view. Ultimately, I see Krakauer leaning more towards forgiving McCandless and being understanding of his decisions based on his circumstances and his overall courage and willingness to learn and survive throughout it all. “He was unheeded, happy, and near to the wild heart of life. He was alone and young and wilful and wildhearted, alone amid a waste of wild air and brackish waters and the seaharvest of shells and tangle and veiled grey sunlight.” (Krakauer 25) A quote showing Krakauer describing McCandless wandering on the coast and using words that make him sound at peace, but, at the same time, wild and willing to learn and do what needs to be done.

Krakauer finds intrigue, worry, and some criticism about McCandless and his whole journey. Questioning his level of preparedness and grit. He had a purpose when writing the book Into The Wild, and that purpose was to investigate the life and death of Christopher McCandless; because of this purpose, he sees and perceives things a certain way that most might not. Additionally, because the story is written from Krakauer’s knowledge and views, we mostly only know what is written or what we can infer. I see his views as almost journalistic, but at the same time, he is a concerned and well-thought-out researcher who cares to an extent. I personally see McCandless’s situation as super concerning and terrifying. He is surviving off of pure grit and motivation, which can only get you so far. While I sympathize with Krakauer’s concern and way of thinking, I also see McCandless’s situation in a broader, more dangerous sense. McCandless is bold and took a huge leap of faith but did it in a way that makes him seem unintelligent and unprepared.

Into The Wild 6-9

fmcdonough26 — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 04:27:02 +0000

Krakeuer is almost too forgiving of McCandless. While he does show the criticism regarding McCandless's foolhardy expedition, it is also clear that in some ways he almost admires the young man. In the preface of the novel, he claims that he is not entirely unbiased, which means that he is in fact somehow inherently biased. When Krakeuer introduces the character of McCandless he even goes so far as to call him "the master of his own destiny (23)". While it is true that McCandless is completely independent, the tone of this description glorifies McCandless. Even later in the novel Krakeuer labels criticizing remarks from Alaskans responding to his Outside article as "negative" (68). I think that by over-glorifying McCandless and labeling criticism Krakeuer is cushioning the character of McCandless.

My reaction is almost one of sympathy towards McCandless.. Not because he deserves it, but rather because I feel led to that reaction. I wish he wasn't so blinded by self assurance. Maybe he could have actually been prepared enough to not die out in the Alaskan wilderness. Most of McCandless's story so far has been primarily painted by friends and acquaintances who hold fond memories of the young man. McCandless had people who cared about him, so he must not have been a total maniac. I think despite his best efforts to remain impartial, Krakeuer cared. He cared because he came to almost know the young man personally through people's descriptions.

Into the Wild 6-9

edubois26 — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 12:08:49 +0000

Krakauer clearly admires McCandless’s spirit and drive. As read in the book, Krakauer also shares parables from his own life, like climbing the Devil's Thumb. He understands the allure of going out of your comfort zone and doing risky adventures.

Krakauer does not stray away from McCandless’s flaws. McCandless had barely any preparation for this trip. Kraukauer also sees that McCandless is stubborn; he discovers that information from others. I feel empathetic for McCandless in some ways. I wish he were more prepared so he wouldn’t have died. Maybe that’s what he wanted in the end; we don’t know. I do agree that he was selfish for leaving his family the way he was, and he also left Franz the way he did. “That's when I had a bad feeling that we wouldn’t ever see Alex ever again.” (68) This quote is about how they are sad they probably won’t see him again.

Ultimately, I believe that Kraukauer seems empathetic to McCandless, but he isn't blindsided by his actions. He also cares enough to research and find all the information about Chris.

Into the Wild

ofrench27 — Sat, 04 Oct 2025 00:17:12 +0000

Krakauer isn’t necessarily being too hard or too easy on McCandless. At certain times, like when discusses his McCandless relationships, like with Franz, he is hard on him. He says he “slips painlessly” away from these relationships, but discusses how this only goes one way because everyone he leaves feels pain. He also is a little easier, like when mentioning McCandless family life. When detailing the relationship of McCandless and his sister, he is very gentle, describing her as so beautiful she makes male heads turn, adding a little more humanity to the ice cold character he gives McCandless.

I think McCandless just had a big ego. He had an idea that we discussed in class and decided most of us had. When we had the discussion it was more about losing contact through cell phones, McCandless wanted to lose contact literally. I think it was a fair want, but his ego was so big he thought he could, and should, make it this big and extravagant expenditure, failing to consider his relationships and family. Although I can see wanting refuge from human contact momentarily, McCandless did it dramatically and in flashy manner, I assume for his ego, not his intention.