4/30 Into the Wild post

In Into the Wild, Krakauer uses many literary devices that enhance the reader’s experience. Two of the devices he uses frequently and effectively are irony and conflict. Below are a few examples of each.

Irony:

            The very first paragraph of the book explains how in 1992, a young man hitchhiked to Alaska to live in the wilderness and was found dead four months later. The irony here is that throughout the entire story, Chris McCandless believes (or is portrayed that way) that he will survive all of his adventures. But the very first thing the reader learns is that McCandless unfortunately does not survive and is a great example of situational irony.

            Another small example of irony is the fact that McCandless is presumed to have succumbed to starvation. While the nature of his death is a highly debated question, Krakauer reaches the conclusion that it was starvation which is ironic because prior to McCandless hitting the road and starting his nomadic lifestyle, he gives all the money in his savings (almost $25,000) to OXFAM America, a charity dedicated to fighting hunger.

Conflict:

            The most obvious conflict in Into the Wild would be the external conflict of man vs. nature. McCandless’ time spent in the woods is a prime example of this conflict that he eventually loses. Although he ventures into the woods to reinvent himself, the ultimate battle that McCandless fights is one that pits him against the grueling nature of Denali National Forest.

            Another not to obvious example of conflict is man vs. society. The theme of materialism is found throughout the book in that McCandless is constantly trying to simplify his life and rid himself of societal norms. He is drawn to people who also reject society and after being detained and spending a night with US border patrol, McCandless writes in his journal that he needs “to get a ID and a job but feels extremely uncomfortable in society now and must return to road immediately,” (Krakauer, 37).