Answer: In Jon Krakauer's book "Into the Wild," he portrays the story of Chris McCandless, a young man who ventures into the Alaskan wilderness alone and ultimately dies from starvation. Throughout the book, Krakauer's feelings towards McCandless shift as he delves deeper into the young man's life. Krakauer uses structure and style to convey this shift in his perspective.
At the start of the book, Krakauer idolizes McCandless, describing him as a "man of his own making." He portrays McCandless as an intelligent and free-spirited young man who rejected materialism and the conventional way of life. Krakauer presents a romanticized version of McCandless's journey, using fragmented structure and vivid imagery to illustrate his admiration. He writes, "The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure" (57).
However, as Krakauer continues to investigate McCandless's life, his perspective shifts. He learns about the negative impact of McCandless's actions on his family and friends. The author's admiration turns into a more critical tone. Krakauer questions McCandless's decision to venture into the wilderness unprepared and his apparent disregard for the people who loved him. He writes, "He was so enthralled by the extreme that he overlooked the obvious" (134).
Krakauer uses style to convey his shift in tone. He interweaves his own personal narrative with McCandless's, showing the parallels between their experiences. He also includes interviews with people who knew McCandless, adding depth and nuance to his portrayal of the young man. This shift in style and structure highlights Krakauer's changing perspective towards McCandless.
In conclusion, Krakauer's use of structure and style in "Into the Wild" reveals his changing feelings towards Chris McCandless. The author's idolization of the young man at the start of the book turns into a more critical tone as he delves deeper into McCandless's life. The use of fragmented structure, vivid imagery, and personal narrative at the beginning of the book transitions to a more complex structure with interviews and critical analysis later on. By doing so, Krakauer shows his shifting perspective on McCandless, adding depth and nuance to his portrayal of the young man.
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