Final answer:
Jon Krakauer appears to admire Chris McCandless to some extent in 'Into the Wild'. His narrative blends empathy with journalism and aligns McCandless with iconic figures like Thoreau, while also acknowledging McCandless's naivety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether Jon Krakauer admires Chris McCandless in his work Into the Wild is quite nuanced. Krakauer's narrative approach is complex, blending objective journalism with personal reflection which indicates a level of empathy and fascination with McCandless's story.
Through his detailed descriptions and exploration of McCandless's ideals and the journey that led him to the Alaskan wilderness, Krakauer often presents McCandless's actions in a romantic, almost envy-inducing light.
There are many instances where Krakauer's own experiences and understandings of the wilderness and the allure of a nomadic lifestyle seem to align with McCandless's choices, suggesting some degree of admiration.
Specific evidence of Krakauer's possible admiration can be found in the way he recounts McCandless's adventures, the depth of research he conducts into McCandless's life, and his effort to portray McCandless's character traits positively - noting his intelligence, courage, and idealism.
Krakauer often paints McCandless as a protagonist cut from the same cloth as Thoreau, emphasizing the philosophical similarities between McCandless's experiences and Thoreau's Walden, which can be interpreted as a sign of respect and admiration.
However, Krakauer also does not shy away from acknowledging the tragic aspects of the story and McCandless's sometimes naive and idealistic view of the wilderness, indicating a balanced, though perhaps still admiring, perspective.