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Name _______________________ Period ____ Into the Wild Author’s Note 1. Why did Jon Krakauer initially write about Chris McCandless? Why did he continue to write about him?

2. What broader themes does Krakauer think McCandless’s story speaks to?

3. The reader learns right away that McCandless does not survive. How does that change the focus of the book?

4. Describe the two sides of the debate about McCandless. Does Krakauer himself take sides?

Chapter 1: The Alaska Interior 1. According to Jim Gallien, what attracts some people from the lower forty-eight to Alaska? What do they find instead?

2. Clearly, “Alex” was Chris McCandless. Why might he have used a false name with Gallien?

3. Why did Alex strike Gallien as unprepared?

4. What picture of Alex does the reader get in Chapter One? What might have motivated his adventure?

Chapter 2: The Stampede Trail 1. Krakauer opens the chapter with an excerpt from Jack London’s White Fang. Describe the tone of the excerpt. How does it set the scene for Chapter Two?

2. How did Ken Thompson, Gordon Samel, and Ferdie Swanson reach the abandoned bus? What does their journey suggest about them?

3. How did the couple from Anchorage and the hunting trio determine what was inside the bus? What specific actions did Samel take?

4. What reason did Butch Killian give for not wanting to evacuate the man’s remains?

5. Based on the details about the recovery and evacuation of his remains, what can be inferred about Chris McCandless’s final days?