Final answer:
In 'Into the Wild' by Jon Krakauer, the story begins with a letter believed to be from Chris McCandless. This narrative nonfiction piece leads into McCandless's Alaskan wilderness adventure and examines his life, similar to Thoreau's 'Walden'.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild, the narrative begins with a mysterious letter sent to the author. The letter serves as a prelude to the story of Chris McCandless, with the sender believed to be McCandless himself, though this is not explicitly stated at the outset. Krakauer's book is part of the narrative nonfiction genre, following the footsteps of McCandless's journey into the Alaskan wilderness, which reflects a thematic similarity to Henry David Thoreau's Walden.
The story delves into the motives behind McCandless's decision to disconnect from society and embark on a subsistence lifestyle in the extreme conditions of Alaska, examining his character traits, the setting of his journey, and his attitudes towards life and society.