man’s role in nature respect for nature duality of nature nature’s bounty (= générosité) nature’s power need for independence need to control feelings of alienation imminent death injustice in the world intensity self-denial (= abnégation) despair rebellion the dominant force of nature bitterness frustration authority asceticism moral purity rejection love of danger sharing (feelings) fearlessness (= audace) tension

disdain/bitterness (= amertume) (toward his parents)

the grip (=la prise) wilderness has on our imagination
 the allure (= l’attrait) of high-risk activities

the complicated bond (= le lien) between fathers and sons
 the deep and secret alienation that McCandless felt toward his parents
 Chris’s unforgiving (= impitoyable) sense of morality
 insistence on doing things his way

condemnation of capitalism

inconsistency (of Alex's belief system)

death of his former identity

abdication from human society

estrangement from his family

condemnation of the parents

unrealistic expectations

resentment for his parents

interdependence on other human beings
insensible to take pride in challenging rueful courageous serene bright independent affable (= aimable) mature (= mûr) tyrannical
personal experience adventure in the wilderness to trap poisonous seeds limits of his strength an assumed name anger to be strongwilled (=obstiné) unforgiving (= impitoyable) idealistic impressionable stubborn (= têtu) temperamental (= capricieux) to be adamant (about) (= catégorique) to be withdrawn (= replié sur soi) stern ideals athletic marital troubles moral standards mankind starvation
Into The Wild – Themes C. EMERY
1

2 toxic to hunt game (= gibier) elusive (= insaisissable) a high−achiever (= un battant) weakness
Chris’s earnest (= sincère, sérieux) good nature to donate to charity spiritual pilgrimage to take life seriously high-risks activities genuine happiness family issues selfevasiveness (= de manière évasive) a nomadic life denial (= abnégation) survival skills to be aware of
Topics for Discussion
1. Why did McCandless reject his parents' lifestyle?
2. What do you think of McCandless's decision to discard his identity and past life without a backward look? Would you do the same thing if you were in his place, or do you think it would be important to discuss your decision with your family first, even if you were certain that they would try to dissuade you?
3. Pretend that you could speak for McCandless. What would you have to say to Krakauer, his biographer. To his parents?
4. What do you think you would want to say to McCandless if you were his father? If you were his mother?
5. The author believes that McCandless was deeply embittered by his discoveries about his father's past. How do you think he should have handled his discovery?
6. What do you think of the many people in this story who seem to be living as transients or squatters? Does the freedom of their lifestyle appeal to you? Do you think they should attempt to establish stable homes and livelihoods?
7. The public response to McCandless's story has been deeply divided. Is this story an example of tragic foolhardiness or heroic idealism?
Objects and Places
1. The canoe
2. The oath
3. The tooled leather belt
4. Ten pound bag of rice
5. Tanaina plantlore
6. The Stampede Trail
7. The bus
8.
Gallien’s boots
9. Annandale, Virginia
10. Carthage, South Dakota
Into The Wild – Themes C. EMERY