Journal Create a person who you think would be attracted to Alaska. List the person’s characteristics (profession, age, gender, family background). Write a one paragraph (5-6 sentences) monologue in which the person tells his or her story about moving to or visiting Alaska.

Journal A number of books have been written, and movies have been produced that illustrate the mental and/or emotional struggles, sacrifices, and challenges faced by people who find it overwhelming, disagreeable, or stifling to conform to the conventional rules of life. Choose such a character from a book you have read or a movie you have seen that is a non-conformist. Write a paragraph (5-6 sentences) explaining how the character fits the above description of a non-conformist.

Journal The point of view of a story is often conveyed through the narrator. In Into the Wild, the author Krakauer uses primarily the third person point of view; he writes as if he is outside the story and reporting on it as he would see it from afar. In contrast, the first person narrative is delivered in the voice of the person who is experiencing the story; it uses that person’s point of view as the filter for all events and feelings. Chapter 3 of Into the Wild introduces Wayne Westerberg, who owns a grain business in Carthage, South Dakota. The chapter gives biographical background on Chris McCandless. Rewrite an entire paragraph of Chapter 3 from the point of view of Wayne Westerberg or the point of view of Chris McCandless. Change third person point of view to first person point of view of Westerberg or McCandless.

Journal Krakauer provides his own descriptions of the areas around Lake Mead and the story of McCandless’s yellow Datsun. Chapters 4 and 5 also include McCandless’s description of his canoe trip from Arizona to Mexico and Krakauer’s account of the young man’s life in Bullhead City. In addition, the author introduces several new characters, including Jan Burres and the investigator Peter Kalitka. Write a line poem in free verse on any of the subjects provided above or any other significant event or encounter in Chapters 4 or 5. Free verse is poetry that is not dependent on rhyme or meter, but is written “freely” and discloses a sense of the writer’s feelings about the subject of the poem.

Journal 59.10/11.14 Chapter 6 begins with a passage written by the writer Henry David Thoreau and highlighted by Chris McCandless. Thoreau ( was part of the literary and philosophical movement called Transcendentalism, which started in New England in the 19 th century and focused on self-reliance, the individual, and connection to nature. Respond to the following questions in a paragraph (5-6 sentences). Where do you get most of your knowledge: books, other people? Do you feel that government should be very powerful or limited? How important are positions of power and authority? How comfortable do you feel in nature? Do you feel that the most effective decisions are made by groups or individuals? EXPLAIN your responses.

Journal In Chapter 8, Krakauer notes some of the responses that his original piece about Chris McCandless in the magazine Outside received. Most people view McCandless as self-absorbed and irresponsible. CHOOSE one of the following individuals: an experienced wilderness guide, a parent of a long-lost son/daughter, OR a successful entrepreneur. WRITE a one paragraph (6-8 sentences) letter to the editor of Outside magazine, explaining your opinion of McCandless’ choice to go mostly unprepared and alone into the wilderness.

Journal Chris McCandless adopts the alias “Alexander Supertramp.” Create a new (appropriate) name for yourself that illustrates your traits, characteristics and personality. In a paragraph (5-6 sentences), explain why you chose this alias for yourself.

Journal /18.14 Pretend that you are Billie or Carine McCandless. WRITE a post card (5-6 sentences will suffice) to Chris addressing the anguish and confusion you feel regarding his choice to abandon you (his sister or mother) and the family. Use your own words, BUT stay true to the character traits described in the novel.

Journal Many people push hard to sell their story to a Hollywood film producer. Pretend that you are John Krakauer. You want your nonfiction novel Into the Wild to be made into a movie! You have 2 minutes to pitch your idea for a film to a producer. Write a 5-6 sentence pitch to a Hollywood producer, convincing him her to accept your film idea. Be sure to include casting, costuming and general appeal to audiences.

Journal Read the article from The New York Times regarding Chris McCandless’ death. Write a 5-6 sentence response to the article? What is the article’s main idea? What issues surrounding McCandless’ death does the author bring up? Based on your reading of the novel and the article, was McCandless on a suicide mission or did he make a fatal mistake? Explain.