At the end of chapter 2, Krakauer says of McCandless:

Question

Into the Wild

At the end of chapter 2, Krakauer says of McCandless:

"Driving west of Atlanta, he intended to invent an utterly new life for himself, one in which he would be free to wallow in unfiltered experience. To symbolize the complete severance from his previous life, he even adopted a new name. No longer would he answer to Chris McCandless; he was now Alexander Supertramp, master of his own destiny (23).

Has Krakauer supported these conclusions about McCandless? What is some of the evidence he rpesents?

Asked by Jenn R #931927 on 9/27/2019 2:41 AM

Last updated by Aslan on 9/27/2019 2:46 AM

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Answered by Aslan on 9/27/2019 2:46 AM

Many people feel that Krakauer was rather sympathetic if not outright biased towards Chris. In his writing some people find is a certain heroic slant to Chris's story. I think the novel becomes more readable not because of bias but rather that Krakauer understands MCandless. He sees in Chris similar motivations and attitudes as he had as a young man. This gives the book a depth of meaning because Krakauer is a great writer and Chris somehow inhabits parts of Krakauer's belief system. I think Krakauer is critical of Chris when it comes to Chris's treatment of his family. I think, however, that there are the sensibilities of a kindred spirit going on here that gives us a unique access into Chris's world.

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