Rhetorical Analysis of the Biography

the transcendentalist movement inspired many authors and poets in the nineteenth century, inviting them to join a more simple lifestyle, away from unnecessary material possessions. John Krakauer fascinated by Christopher McCandless, a young man twenty one years of age, who chooses to leave his material possessions and begin a new life in the wild. Krakauer first began writing about McCandless as an article in OUTSIDE MAGAZINE, but soon felt he didn't do McCandless justice. in his extended version INTO THE WILD, Krakauer pieces together McCandless' voyage to self discovery.

Krakauer begins the biography by revealing McCandless' death. the author attempts to engage the reader within the first paragraphs. he believes by working his way from the last encounter with McCandless will leave curiosity. for then on, he tell him story in a scattered timeline. sometimes cutting off an encounter and connecting it to the next relevant topic. he interests the reader by attaching maps of the region McCandless is occupying. Krakauer also uses human encounters with McCandless to bring life to the story and show his capable mental state. Krakauer considers McCandless a man who lived a life of conformity, and finally takes on a challenge he has planned for many years. Krakauer does well in addressing those who consider McCandless' death to wasteful. he addresses many people who chose to leave society for one reason or another to find beauty in the wild.

Krakauer uses simple everyday language that appeals to the common man. he believes in McCandless' story and wants to share it with america. Krakauer doesn't intelligently appeal to the reader, only occasionally refering to autors and transcendentalist thoughts. he believes in teh simplicity of life and demonstrates it in his writing. the writer also exchanges some terms used in hunting, referring to survival needs. the concept of life being more significant than the daily tasks assigned is the purpose for McCandless' voyage. he began to see life as beautiful and unpredictable. Krakauer tries to reply the message in his work,