Beginning the Journal Pick up your composition book from the front of the room Turn to your next blank page and write across the entire page the title “Into Thin Air Journal” Turn the page and title it, Journal #1 Journal #1 : Have you ever risked your like for an adventure or a thrill? If so, what did you do and why? If not, why do you think other people do?

Journal #2 Why does the author start the book off having already reached the peak?

Isn’t it all downhill from here? Krakauer departs from his otherwise chronological narrative in this first chapter. It may seem disorienting, but he is actually situating the reader in an important way. Beginning at the top is like an overview—just as he can see a vast expanse from the peak of Everest, the reader can see the breadth and enormity of the situation by beginning at that same place. We know immediately that he makes it to the top, which means that the climax of the story will occur elsewhere—presumably during the descent. This perhaps defies expectations, as one might expect that summating the mountain would be the high point, or the climax. Literary Elements that Krakauer uses here: Understatement, is the opposite of hyperbole in that rather than imply that something is much more than it seems, understatement implies that something is much less that what it really is. Irony is when the exact opposite of what you expect to happen, happens.

Journal #3 Describe some possible ethical conflicts between mountaineers and Sherpas. Click the picture for video of a recent brawl

Journal #4 Krakauer specifies early on how important it is to be able to trust one's teammates: "In climbing, having confidence in your partners is no small concern. One climber's actions can affect the welfare of the entire team" (47). On this expedition, Krakauer climbs primarily with strangers and he is uncomfortable putting his life in the hands of people whose presence on the mountain is not necessarily a tribute to their climbing skills. What character traits would you need to lead an Everest expedition?

Journal #5 How does treatment of people change depending on their background or culture?

Journal #6 Avalanches and storms strike without warning, and no matter how competent a guide is, he or she cannot avoid these pitfalls. Believing that one has all aspects of summating Everest under control is detrimental to any climb; one cannot afford to lose any acuity or sense of the enormity of the risk. at least 4 Explain at least 4 events/decisions that could have an impact on the descent.

Word Choice Writers use language to express their thoughts and feelings. To do this well, they must choose exactly the right words. In one passage, Jon Krakauer describes a delay that occurred as he was climbing down Everest with a low oxygen supply: – “I encountered a clot of climbers chuffing up the single strand of rope.” The word clot can also mean a lump that stops blood flow. By choosing this word, Krakauer shows that there’s a major obstacle in the way of him getting down, and that he is feeling that he is in danger.

The Unreliable Narrator

Can you always trust a narrator? In all stories with a first-person narrator, the narrator serves as a filter for the events. What the narrator does not know or observe cannot be explained to the reader. Narrators can be unreliable because they are not trustworthy. A narrator may be a liar or may show evidence of such bias that we come to distrust that narrative voice. Because they are so involved in the story, they may not be perceiving events or other characters accurately. Or they may have a reason for withholding the truth. Whatever flaw the narrator has, at some point the reader will realize that the narrator’s interpretation of the events cannot be fully trusted and will begin to form their own opinions about the events and motivations within the story. Usually, however, the reader trusts that the narrator is knowledgeable and truthful enough to give them an accurate representation of the story.

Journal #7 How does Krakauer mistake Martin Adams for Andy Harris? Does the case of mistaken identity change your opinion of the author? Explain why or why not.

Journal #8 Despite the importance of trusting one's teammates, Krakauer comes to the realization that in fact, each climber is there for him or herself, and that it is possible for one climber to trust another too much. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the quote, “Above 8000 metres is not a place where people can afford morality.”

Journal #9 When Krakauer returns to the US he has to face the reporters and family members of his fallen teammates. Explain what you think was ultimately their downfall? Why?

Journal #10 Krakauer spends long chapters giving his best, most educated guesses about why climbers made certain decisions, and what happened to the people Do you believe that this is a fair account of the events on Everest?

A Writer’s Motives Many different motives, or reasons, make people want to write. Possible motives for writers of eyewitness accounts include: – To record the facts for history – To analyze mistakes in order to prevent future problems – To explain their own behavior – To explain the behavior of others

A Writer’s Motives When choosing which events and people to include in their accounts, writers must pick what ideas will best serve the purpose of the story. For example, Krakauer writes about a blinded climber’s response when he offers help: – “’Thanks anyway,’ Beck said. ‘I think I’ll just wait for Mike. He’s got a rope.’” Krakauer includes that part to explain why he left Beck alone on the mountain – which was something that left Beck’s life in danger.