[INTO THE WILD- VOCAB AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS]
Zentz
Into the Wild- Jon Krakauer
Assignment #1- Chapters 1-3 (3-23)
Vocabulary
On a separate sheet of paper, write down the word, part of speech, and definition.
transcendent
asceticism
unsullied (4)
sonorous (4)
meandered (5)
cursory (13)
plebian (18)
nomadic (19)
altruistic (19)
unencumbered (22)
Discussion Questions
As you read, answer these questions on a separate sheet of paper. Be thoughtful and thorough in your answers. You don’t
need complete sentences, but complete answers. Each response is worth 2 points.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What words of wisdom do you have scrawled in your bedroom? On your refrigerator? On your notebook cover? In your
car? Write one down.
What does Alaska represent to our country? To you?
What does Jim Gallien wonder about regarding “the hitchhiker” he picks up on Tuesday, April 28, 1992?
Describe the discovery of McCandless’s body September 6, 1992. What goes back on the chopper for the autopsy in
Anchorage? What is listed as the cause of death?
Describe Chris’s “emancipation” on page 22.
Note
1.
2.
Noted critic and author Joseph Campbell says there are three stages to all journeying: preparation, trial and descent to a low
point, and return to home. Use this template and compare it to McCandless’s journey as we read the book.
Keep in mind and analyze the vivid cast of characters that McCandless encounters on his journey.
Into the Wild- Jon Krakauer
Assignment #2- Chapters 4-5 (25-46)
Vocabulary
On a separate sheet of paper, write down the word, part of speech, and definition.
oxymoronic (39)
denuded (41)
Discussion Questions
As you read, answer these questions on a separate sheet of paper. Be thoughtful and thorough in your answers. You don’t
need complete sentences, but complete answers. Each response is worth 2 points.
1.
2.
3.
4.
How is Krakauer able to corroborate (strengthen or support with other evidence) the events in the Detrital Wash?
Refer back to the first map in the book for the events of the summer of 1990. Then refer to the map on page 24.
a. What happened in October 1990?
b. November 1990?
c. December 1990?
d. What stymies McCandless’s passage to the Gulf of California and what “miracle” occurs on December 9, 1990?
e. What happens on January 1, 1991?
Who cares for McCandless in Slabs? What are they like? What sort of care do they offer Chris? What is Slabs?
Krakauer spins McCandless as being infatuated with Jack London. Who is Jack London and what does Krakauer say about
McCandless’s infatuation with him?
1
Fall 2012
Thanks to G. Proctor
[INTO THE WILD- VOCAB AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS]
Zentz
Into the Wild- Jon Krakauer
Assignment #3- Chapter 6 (47-60)
Vocabulary
On a separate sheet of paper, write down the word, part of speech, and definition.
intangible (47)
anachronistic (47)
wayfarer (48)
phantasmal (49)
harangues (51)
endemic (52)
burgeoning (56)
habitual (57)
derelict (59)
virulent (59)
Discussion Questions
As you read, answer these questions on a separate sheet of paper. Be thoughtful and thorough in your answers. You don’t
need complete sentences, but complete answers. Each response is worth 2 points.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Throughout McCandless’s journey he meets many people. Why does he continue to correspond and visit with the people
after the initial meeting? Does it hold true with his need for isolation?
What is it about McCandless that makes those he encounters remember/care for him?
How does Franz’s separation from his family compare to McCandless’s separation? Does Franz understand why
McCandless doesn’t talk about his family on friendly terms?
It’s apparent that McCandless enjoys his friendship with Franz. Why does McCandless avoid the issue of ‘adoption’ when
Franz brings it up?
How do you think McCandless chooses which items he receives to keep and which to discard or refuse?
Before meeting McCandless, Franz had taken other individuals under his wing- helping two to continue education in
medicine. From what is learned of the man through the chapter, why does he seem to do this?
Into the Wild- Jon Krakauer
Assignment #4- Chapters 7-8 (61-85)
Vocabulary
On a separate sheet of paper, write down the word, part of speech, and definition.
canted (61)
conjecture (64)
polarization (64)
rapport (65)
sojourn (66)
opined (71)
eremitic (73)
sinewy (76)
incinerating (79)
succumb (84)
Discussion Questions
As you read, answer these questions on a separate sheet of paper. Be thoughtful and thorough in your answers. You don’t
need complete sentences, but complete answers. Each response is worth 2 points.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Describe McCandless’s relationship with Wayne Westerberg.
What is the difference between intelligence and common sense? How does McCandless fit into each category?
Information pertaining to McCandless and his family is given in this section. What type of relationship did he have with his
father? Mother? Sister?
Describe the tone of the last three communications from McCandless in Chapter 7.
What is your reaction to McCandless’s decision to enter into the Alaskan wilderness with minimal supplies? Did he
recognize the situation he was getting himself into?
Briefly describe the mini-bios of other adventures the author mentions in Chapter 8. Why does the author choose these
particular stories? What are the parallel themes/ideas/situations described? Why would the author include these stories in the
narration of McCandless’s story?
2
Fall 2012
Thanks to G. Proctor
[INTO THE WILD- VOCAB AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS]
Zentz
Into the Wild- Jon Krakauer
Assignment #5- Chapters 9-10 (87-102)
Vocabulary
On a separate sheet of paper, write down the word, part of speech, and definition.
atavistic (90)
esthete (90)
incendiary (91)
veracity (95)
Discussion Questions
As you read, answer these questions on a separate sheet of paper. Be thoughtful and thorough in your answers. You don’t
need complete sentences, but complete answers. Each response is worth 2 points.
1.
2.
3.
How is the canyon floor a “different world” than the country surrounding Davis Gulch?
What mark did Everett Ruess leave in 1934? What does it mean?
What does Ken Sleight have to say about “companionship”?
Into the Wild- Jon Krakauer
Assignment #6- Chapters 11-12 (103-126)
Vocabulary
Choose a total of five words from the reading section that are unfamiliar to you. On a piece of paper write the word, the part
of speech and the definition.
Discussion Questions
As you read, answer these questions on a separate sheet of paper. Be thoughtful and thorough in your answers. You don’t
need complete sentences, but complete answers. Each response is worth 2 points.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Describe Samuel McCandless. What kind of person is he? How has he changed since Chris’s disappearance after college?
How would you define Carine and Chris’s relationship with their parents while they were growing up? How did it affect
Carine and Chris’s relationship as siblings? Can you relate to what type of childhood they had?
A quote on page 112 states, “The whole idea was to lose our bearings, to push ourselves into unknown country.” How is this
a credo for Chris’s life?
“Children can be harsh judges when it comes to their parents, disinclined to grant clemency” (122). Do you agree with this
statement? How do you relate the quote?
Compare, as best you can, Chris’s first trip to Alaska versus his last, fatal trip to Alaska.
3
Fall 2012
Thanks to G. Proctor
[INTO THE WILD- VOCAB AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS]
Zentz
Into the Wild- Jon Krakauer
Assignment #7- Chapters 13-14 (127-144)
Vocabulary
Recalcitrant
Gregarious
Keening
Fatuous
Diorite
Demarcates
Madrigal
Strata
Discussion Questions
As you read, answer these questions on a separate sheet of paper. Be thoughtful and thorough in your answers. You don’t
need complete sentences, but complete answers. Each response is worth 2 points.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Would having Buckley along have made any difference in any of Chris’s decisions?
What similarities does the author see between himself and Chris?
Is chapter 14 effective? Does the author’s digression into his own life add to Chris’s story or detract from it?
What about climbing a peak/mountain appeals to an individual? Does it appeal to you? Why or why not?
Into the Wild- Jon Krakauer
Assignment #8- Chapters 15 (144-156)
Vocabulary
Demeanor
Hectored
Calamitous
Insubstantial
Discussion Questions
As you read, answer these questions on a separate sheet of paper. Be thoughtful and thorough in your answers. You don’t
need complete sentences, but complete answers. Each response is worth 2 points.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What type of relationship does Krakauer have with his father? How is it similar to Chris and Walt’s relationship? How is it
different?
How does this chapter relate to the rest of the book?
A quote on page 155 says, “It is easy, when you are young, to believe that what you desire is no less than what you deserve,
to assume that if you want something badly enough, it is your God-given right to have it.” Does this quote seem to have a
ring of truth to it? Does it apply to you? Why or why not?
What similarities and very important differences with Chris McCandless does Krakauer list in this chapter?
Krakauer believes it is not some suicidal tendencies that cause Chris and himself to push the boundaries of nature but rather
something infinitely more important, what is it? Do you agree with him?
4
Fall 2012
Thanks to G. Proctor