Into the Wild Chapters 6-9

Christopher Lehmann-Haupt's New York Times review of discusses the fine line that Krakauer attempts to walk as he offers the complex reactions to McCandless and his journey.   "If Mr. Krakauer too readily exposes his subject's shortcomings," Lehmann-Haupt writes, "he also does a masterly job of keeping the reader's condemnation at bay." 
Krakauer tells us in the Author's note that he doesn't "claim to be an impartial biographer".  Let's explore that. 

• 1st--Describe if you think Krakauer is being too hard on or forgiving of McCandless.
• 2nd--Compare Krakauer's point of view concerning McCandless and his journey to your own reaction.  Do you view him as an idealist with the courage to pursue his dream or as someone who is "'underprepared, overconfident . . . bumbling around out there and screwing up because [he] lacked the requisite humility'" as Nick Jans describes? (72).

Make sure to support your assertions with quotes and / or details that demonstrate close reading.