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Into the Wild Chapters 6-9
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03/10/2025 9:18 pm
In chapters 6-9 of Into the Wild, Jon Krakauer is not necessarily being harsh or forgiving towards McCandless, I find that he is instead simply being real towards how McCandless was. For example, Krakauer is not afraid to show how selfish McCandless was when he would leave people and sometimes never write back, or when he does it isn’t always quite the nicest. Especially seen in these chapters, McCandless leaves for new adventures frequently, and having to write the people he left behind. One of these people being Wayne Westerberg who had gotten McCandless employment while he was in South Dakota. Over time, the two grow to like each other, even with Westerberg insisting McCandless meet his mom over dinner saying, “They hit it off immediately. The two of ‘em talked nonstop for five hours.” (Kraukauer 67) This specific example shows that Kraukauer acknowledges and is willing to show McCandless as a nice person, even though he can be selfish, a reality of his life. After McCandless left Westerberg, he wrote back saying that that will be the last time he will hear from him.
I can agree with how Kraukauer views McCandless. While Kraukauer is trying to find motives for all of McCandless’ exploration, bravery, and selfishness, he tries to put things as they are. I view McCandless as selfish, but curious and clueless. McCandless goes through his adventures with seemingly no plan, while doing selfish acts, especially like abandoning his family. With selfishness, I see McCandless as someone who is trying to put a purpose on his life, but doesn’t exactly know what that purpose is yet. With all of the information and interviews the book has portrayed, it makes me believe that McCandless is in search of a purpose without the consideration of anyone but himself.
09/10/2025 7:09 pm
I agree that Krakauer was authentic in showing McCandless' motives for his actions. For example, Kraukauer explained McCandless’ adventurous and persevering side while also showing that he lacked consideration for others. I also think that Krakauer shows a great deal of empathy in his exploration of McCandless' journey, but he makes it seem that McCandless’ endeavors were honorable. Do you think that Krakauer approached this with enough sensitivity while keeping the story authentic?
14/10/2025 9:03 pm
I really like how you pointed out that Krakauer is being real about McCandless instead of being harsh or forgiving. I agree that he presents McCandless as both selfish and kind, which makes his story more believable. The example you used about Wayne Westerberg really shows that duality between both of those traits. On a bigger scale, your post connects to how society views independence and responsibility. Many people chase freedom, but in doing so, they sometimes end up hurting others or even themselves. I think Krakauer wanted to show that complexity rather than judge it. Do you think that Krakauer’s honest tone helps readers understand McCandless better, or does it make his actions seem too easily excused?
15/10/2025 7:44 am
I really enjoyed the points you used to explain how he isn't forgiving nor harsh. I specifically like when you used the quote, “They hit it off immediately. The two of ‘em talked nonstop for five hours.” (Kraukauer 67). I think the connection you made with that quote was good.
I also agree that he makes the story more believable. The way he writes adds a very personal feel; it makes me feel for McCandless during times I wouldn't normally. Your point makes me reconsider how biased Kraukauer really is; he might not be as much as I thought.
I wonder if Kraukauer is like this in all his writing. I wonder if he gets emotionally attached to all his work; if he always states at the start, he is a bit biased.
Do you think Kraukauer being straight up from the start that he is biased to this story influences the readers negatively?
