1. Into the Wild
by: Jon Krakauer

2. Chris McCandless “Alexander Supertramp”
Decomposed body found in bus (Alaska) in September 1992
From affluent East Coast family
Emory University alumni (1990)
Two-year “odyssey” from

3. He grew up in an upper-class family and graduated from the renowned Emory University (Atlanta, Georgia) in 1990.
He was influenced by authors and philosophers who viewed materialism as empty and unfulfilling

5. McCandless began embarking on solitary trips with no money, hitchhiking and depending on gifts and odd jobs to survive.

6. In 1992, he decided to travel alone to Alaska, where he hoped to live off of the land and find meaning in his life. He never returned.

7. The story of his life and death was made into a major motion picture, Into the Wild, in 2007.

8. The Media

9. The Media “Death of an Innocent”
9,000-word article by Jon Krakauer appeared in Outside, Jan. 1993
Into the Wild novel by Jon Krakauer published 1996
“The Cult of Chris McCandless”
article by Matthew Power appeared in Men’s Journal, Sept. 2007
Into the Wild film produced 2007
Note: various other articles have been written in addition to television interviews and coverage.

10. Quick Write: Future Plans
Think about some alternative plans you might have instead of beginning college immediately after high school. What might you do, why would you do it, and how long do you see yourself in this activity? (Get specific!)

11. Author’s Note
How long did Chris McCandless’ journey in the Alaskan wilderness last?
Immediately after graduating from Emory University in 1990, Chris McCandless dropped out of sight. List 5 things that he did to support his “plan”.
What are some themes Krakauer mentions are the result of his “meandering inquiry”?
What do you think Krakauer means when he states “I won’t claim to be an impartial biographer”?
What reason does Krakauer offer for writing this book?