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what happened in chapter 1 of into the wild

by Alvis Funk Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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What happened in the beginning of into the wild? Into the Wild begins with the discovery of Christopher McCandless’s body by a group of Alaskan hunters who visit Denali National Park and Preserve on a yearly excursion. They radio for help.

Summary: Chapter 1
Gallien asks Alex questions about his hunting license, since the young man is carrying a rifle, but Alex says that he doesn't care about the government's rules and insists that he'll be fine. The narrator, who we know to be the author Jon Krakauer, points out that this is typical of Alex.

Full Answer

What was the date at the end of Chapter 1 into the wild?

On Tuesday, April 28, 1992, "Alex" (McCandless) disappears down the Stampede Trail.

What happened in Chapter 1 3 into the wild?

Alex was hitchhiking one day. The weather was bad and Alex was ill-equipped, so Westerberg suggested he stay on with him for a while. Alex spent three days with Westerberg; before parting ways, Westerberg told Alex to find him if he ever needed work. A few weeks later, Alex found Westerberg and began working for him.

What happened in chapter 3 of into the wild?

Summary: Chapter 3. In a tiny South Dakota town called Carthage, Wayne Westerberg describes Chris McCandless to Jon Krakauer, who the reader knows has come to interview him about McCandless. Krakauer relates that Westerberg, then overseeing a barley harvest in Montana, picked up McCandless while he was hitchhiking.

What is the tone of Into the Wild Chapter 1?

Mood 1: Indifference Jon Krakauer wrote Into the Wild to detail and explain the adventures and demise of Chris McCandless. His tone is empathetic, as seen by the direct connections he draws between himself and McCandless.

What happened in Chapter 2 of into the wild?

Summary: Chapter 2 Three moose hunters cross the difficult Teklanika River in their trucks in September of that year and encounter two other people who have already discovered the bus. The other two have decided not to go inside it because a frighteningly bad smell is emanating from it.

Who discovered Chris's dead body?

moose huntersTwenty-one years ago this month, on September 6, 1992, the decomposed body of Christopher McCandless was discovered by moose hunters just outside the northern boundary of Denali National Park.

What happened in chapter 4 of Into the Wild?

In Chapter 4 of Into the Wild, Krakauer describes the discovery of Chris's abandoned car in Nevada. He also describes Chris's movements around the West. As Chris travels, he makes friends, forages, hitchhikes, and canoes. His journal chronicles his adventures and satisfaction with his new way of life.

What happened in Chapter 5 of Into the Wild?

Summary and Analysis Chapter 5 His camera ruined after he buries it in the desert, McCandless stops taking photographs and writing in his journal. As a result, his whereabouts during this time are vague. He works for a while in Las Vegas, then travels to Oregon before heading west once more, to Bullhead City, Arizona.

What happens in chapter 6 of Into the Wild?

Summary: Chapter 6 Krakauer learns from Franz that he and McCandless met while camping at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park near the Salton Sea. McCandless shows Franz the hot springs where he camps in exchange for a ride. The two become friends.

Why did Chris change his name?

Chris McCandless changes his name to Alexander Supertramp in the book Into the Wild as a demonstration of independence from his past; he also burns his Social Security Card and gives up his possessions. He created a new identity in the hopes that he could become a new person.

Is Into the Wild a true story?

Into the Wild, the 1996 book by Jon Krakauer, told the true story of Christopher McCandless, a suburban college graduate who, inspired by the wilderness tales of Jack London and Henry David Thoreau, hitchhiked deep into the Alaskan wilderness.

Who is the last person to see McCandless alive?

McCandless was then last seen alive at the head of the Stampede Trail on April 28 by a local electrician named Jim Gallien.

Why does Westerberg go to jail?

McCandless lived in his large house with a rotating cast of Westerberg's employees and friends. When Westerberg was jailed for pirating satellite television service, however, the work dried up and McCandless was on his own again.

Why did Chris change his name?

Chris McCandless changes his name to Alexander Supertramp in the book Into the Wild as a demonstration of independence from his past; he also burns his Social Security Card and gives up his possessions. He created a new identity in the hopes that he could become a new person.

What is the purpose of Chapter 4 into the wild?

In Chapter 4 of Into the Wild, Krakauer describes the discovery of Chris's abandoned car in Nevada. He also describes Chris's movements around the West. As Chris travels, he makes friends, forages, hitchhikes, and canoes. His journal chronicles his adventures and satisfaction with his new way of life.

Is Into the Wild a true story?

Into the Wild, the 1996 book by Jon Krakauer, told the true story of Christopher McCandless, a suburban college graduate who, inspired by the wilderness tales of Jack London and Henry David Thoreau, hitchhiked deep into the Alaskan wilderness.

What does Gallien think of Alex?

Though Gallien suspects “ Alex ” of being a Jack London fanatic, bent on living out his “ill considered fantasies” in the Alaskan wilderness, he agrees to drive him to the park. Gallien also notices that Chris’ backpack is especially light for an extended camping trip.

What does Gallien try to dissuade Alex from doing?

Download. Sensing that “ Alex ” is unprepared, Gallien attempts to dissuade him from hiking alone into the forest. But Chris refuses his advice, declaring that he will handle all obstacles on his own and without the help of anyone, including his family, with whom he has cut ties.

Why is Alex on the drive so charming?

On the drive, “ Alex ” appears to be a charming, well- educated, and adventurous young man because he boasts about nearly dying off the coast of Mexico during a storm. He shows Gallien his “ crude map ” of the national park, pointing out his intended hiking route: the Stampede Trail .

Where does Gallien drop Alex off?

Gallien drops “ Alex ” off on the edge of The Stampede Trail. Chris attempts to give Gallien his watch and loose change, but Gallien implores “Alex” to take his leftover lunch and pair of rubber work-boots, so that his feet will stay warm and dry. Chris reluctantly accepts these gifts and hikes onto the trail.

Why is the postcard to Wayne prophetic?

McCandless’ postcard to Wayne is eerily prophetic because it anticipates Chris’ untimely and tragic death. By suggesting that he won’t be heard from again and that his venture could be “fatal,” Chris broadcasts his willingness to face death and seems to predict his own death, as well as speak from the grave.

What does Gallien's suspicion of Chris reflect?

Gallien’s suspicion of Chris reflects Krakauer’s mistrust of romantic portrayals of the American wilderness, propagated by London’s canon of adventure fiction. Meanwhile, Chris’ lack of suitable supplies shows that he is ill prepared for the hike, suggesting that he is either extremely confident in his camping skills or very naïve about conditions on the trail.

What does Chris' lack of preparation mean?

Chris’ lack of preparation, however, signals that he may not be ready for the life in the Alaskan woods.

What is the opening of Into the Wild?

The opening of Into the Wild establishes a number of narrative expectations and introduces its protagonist, Christopher McCandless. It reveals his objective of living for an extended time in Denali National Park, and also hints at the consequences that may await him. The narration begins through the perspective of a stranger who encounters McCandless on the road, thus offering the reader a chance to evaluate McCandless’s entry into the wild without knowing anything about his fate. The reader is implicitly invited to experience Jim Gallien’s concern for McCandless after he decides to pick up the young hitchhiker, which establishes sympathy for McCandless early in the narrative. In addition, the fact that Gallien does not stop McCandless from heading into the wild and decides that he will be fine strikes a note of tragic irony that will continue throughout the book. Gallien’s attempts to give McCandless what help he can suggests that McCandless will provoke heartache and concern from those who knew him as the story of Into the Wild continues. The arrival of the hunters at the bus to find McCandless’s body inside it at the end of Chapter Two confirms this tragic suspicion.

What does Gallien's attempts to give McCandless suggest?

Gallien’s attempts to give McCandless what help he can suggests that McCandless will provoke heartache and concern from those who knew him as the story of Into the Wild continues. The arrival of the hunters at the bus to find McCandless’s body inside it at the end of Chapter Two confirms this tragic suspicion.

Why don't moose go inside the bus?

The other two have decided not to go inside it because a frighteningly bad smell is emanating from it.

What is the narrative of McCandless?

The narration begins through the perspective of a stranger who encounters McCandless on the road, thus offering the reader a chance to evaluate McCandless’s entry into the wild without knowing anything about his fate.

What does Alex give Gallien?

In exchange for the ride, Alex gives Gallien his few spare possessions, including less than a dollar in change and a plastic comb . Gallien insists that Alex take a pair of his work boots and some extra food his wife has packed for his lunch. He drops Alex off at the edge of the park, on the Stampede Trail.

What do the hunters find in the bus?

Inside the bus, the hunters find a rifle, paperback books, clothing, a backpack, and other supplies. In the back, on a bunk, is a dead body that is so shrunken and small one of the moose hunters at first has trouble determining that it is a person. The reader knows the body to be Christopher McCandless.

What is the opening section of Into the Wild?

The opening section of Into the Wild clarifies the book’s formal technique for the reader. The inclusion of maps shows Christopher McCandless’s geographical location in each chapter, allowing the reader to track his movements and to think through his journey. Krakauer also inserts epigraphs from McCandless’s diary, his reading, and books that Krakauer himself finds of relevant interest at the beginning of each chapter. He sets the expectation that each epigraph can be used as a clue or a thematic hint as to what will be contained in the chapter to follow. Taken together, both maps and epigraphs render Into the Wild what could be called an interactive reading experience. The reader may choose different modes and different forms of documentation through which to encounter and navigate Christopher McCandless’s story. This mimics Krakauer’s journalistic work in assembling that story and also offers a metaphor for the progress of a traveller through an unknown territory. Moreover, Into the Wild ’s evocative and often poetic use of media underlines that it is a literary work as opposed to a work of strictly objective reportage.

What is the danger of insisting too forcefully on self-determination?

One of the dangers of insisting too forcefully on self-determination is that it produces overconfidence about one's self-reliance. McCandless firmly believed he could handle whatever happened to him in the wild. This hubris, or excessive pride, in McCandless is what many Alaskans found objectionable in Krakauer's portrayal of McCandless. Yet, Into the Wild is more than a simple warning against hubris. Krakauer acknowledges McCandless's overconfidence and perhaps arrogance, but he suggests there is more to the story.

When does Chris McCandless start his book?

Krakauer does not tell Chris McCandless 's story chronologically. Instead, he begins the book on April 28, 1992, as McCandless hitchhiked to Alaska's Denali National Park, 119 days before his death in the bush. This introduction establishes a sense of foreboding. At no time during the three-hour drive did he show any fear or reticence regarding the journey he was about to undertake. In response to Gallien's concern about his lack of proper food or equipment, McCandless, young and full of self-determination, insisted he had full confidence in his ability to handle whatever might happen.

Who was Jim Gallien?

Jim Gallien, an electrician, was driving from Fairbanks, Alaska, to Anchorage when he spotted a hitchhiker. The hitchhiker, Chris McCandless, introduced himself as Alex but would not give his last name and misleadingly claimed he was from South Dakota. He explained he was headed for Denali National Park, where he planned to "live off the land," and insisted Gallien take his watch, comb, and money.

What is the lesson in Into the Wild?

Lesson Summary. Into the Wild, the story of Chris McCandless (a.k.a. Alexander Supertramp )'s adventures leading up to his death on the Stampede Trail in Alaska, has a non-traditional narrative structure. This structure, jumping from McCandless getting to Alaska, back to his college graduation, through a canoe trip into Mexico and ...

What is the structure of Into the Wild Out of Order?

Into the Wild 's ping-pongy narrative structure lets Krakauer make the story bigger than just the tale of Chris McCandless' adventures in the Western U.S. The book is really the story of Krakauer discovering who McCandless is, and how the story of McCandless' death relates to the stories of other young men who strike out ...

How much rice does McCandless eat?

All this time, McCandless is living on five pounds of rice and whatever fish he can catch. He sets up a campsite on a plateau, but high winds force him to abandon it for a cave. He spends Christmas 1990 and the days after it hiding from the winds in the cave.

What does McCandless do with his car?

With the car totally dead, McCandless is able to make his separation from his old life permanent. In a mostly symbolic action, he burns his remaining money--$123--after hiding the car and burying his rifle and some other items.

What happened to Alexander Supertramp?

In July 1990 he drives out to Lake Mead in Nevada, where he camps for a few days. The car's engine is soaked by a flash flood, and McCandless drains the battery with frustrated attempts to get the car started. With the car totally dead, McCandless is able to make his separation from his old life permanent. In a mostly symbolic action, he burns his remaining money--$123--after hiding the car and burying his rifle and some other items.

Where did McCandless take his canoe?

The Canoe Trip. McCandless buys a used canoe in Arizona at the end of October 1990, intending to take it down the Colorado River to the Pacific Ocean at the Gulf of California, over 400 miles away, and across the border into Mexico. By the end of November, he's made it to Yuma, Arizona, to restock and set back out.

How long does it take for maggots to get to the moose?

Since Chris lacks the know-how to preserve the meat, maggots get to it after just a couple of days. Most of the moose meat goes to waste. On July 3, he leaves the bus for the 20-mile hike back to the road. Soon, though, he finds that his path is impossible to retrace--the rivers are now too deep.

What happens to Buck in the dog trader?

The man chokes Buck, throwing him back into a cage-like crate. Buck seethes and starves in his crate for two days and nights as the dog trader and other vagabonds taunt and harass him. He vows never to be tied down against his will again. Now caged, Buck realizes that his freedom has been compromised.

Where did Buck and Curly go?

Buck watches as other dogs are bought and sold by the man in the red sweater. Buck along with a female dog, Curly, are bought by two French-Canadians, François and Perrault. Departing from Seattle, they take Buck and Curly to the Northland on a ship called the Narwhal. On board, François and Perrault acquire two more dogs, Spitz and Dave. At sea, Spitz steals some of Buck's food, but François whips Spitz before Buck can retaliate, thereby rising in Buck's esteem. Finally the small band of men and dogs arrives at their final destination, Dyea Beach in Alaska, where Buck steps onto something cold he's never encountered before: snow.

How did Buck learn primitive law?

Buck launches out of the crate, leaping towards the man. He's stunned when the man strikes him with a club. Buck lunges again and again, but is struck down each time. Buck has never been beaten before. Dazed with pain from the club's blows, Buck is introduced to primitive law by learning to obey the law of club and the men who wield it. The "lesson" is driven home when he witnesses the death of a dog, who refuses to submit to the man in the red sweater's club.

Why did Manuel kidnap Buck?

Buck's world changes when Manuel, a gardener at the estate with a liking for "Chinese lottery," kidnaps Buck to pay off his gambling debts and support his wife and several children. Buck, unaware of Manuel's plan, naively accompanies him to the flag station, where an unnamed dog trader ties a rope tightly around Buck's neck. Driven by pain, anger, and humiliation, Buck attacks the man, but struggles against the rope's grip. Buck, subdued, is thrown into a crate, unconscious.

What is the law of club in the Red Sweater?

From his beating at the hands of the man in the red sweater Buck is introduced to primitive law, or the laws of survival . The club is the mechanism by which Buck recognizes that man is a "master to be obeyed." He learns to submit to the power of the club—to overwhelming strength—out of pain and to obey the man who wields this weapon because with it he carries a lethal authority. The law of club firmly establishes man's authority over dog, even though Buck resists this tenet.

What chapter is the Call of the Wild?

The Call of the Wild: Chapter 1 Summary & Analysis. The Call of the Wild: Chapter 1. LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Call of the Wild, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.

What does it mean when Manuel tricks Buck?

That Manuel is able to trick Buck spotlights Buck's blind trust in man. Once roped, Buck senses that his freedom is threatened and reacts fiercely. However, man's authority overpowers his own sense of mastery as Buck is quickly subdued by the rope and crate. Buck's captivity indicates that his destiny is no longer his own, but in the hands of the men who bind him.

Why can't Christopher leave the wild?

He Must cross the Teklanika River to get to town. Christopher can not leave the wild because the Teklanika River has swelled almost five times its original size and has become violent and uncrossable. So he goes back to the bus.

How much money did Christopher have in his boot?

Christopher had exactly one thousand dollars in his boot. He left his journal with Wayne Westenberg for safekeeping. While he was hugging every one good bye he started crying he probably relized that he may not see them again.

How long did Christopher spend in the wild?

His body was recovered ninteen days after he died. Christopher was only twenty four when he died. Christopher spent about one hundred thirteen days in the wild. This is a picture the last note that he wrote.

Why did Christopher abandon his canoe?

Christopher canoes on the Colorado River,and many other bodys of water. In January he abandons the canoe due to weather conditions. Christopher had not spoken to or seen another human in thirty-six days.

Where did Christopher leave the grain elevator?

Christopher leaves the grain elevator in South Dakota and is on the road again. Wayne Westenberg had no work for Christopher because of his imprisonment, so Christopher left Carthage, South Dakota. Chris was a very determined worker, so he was well liked at the grain elevator.

Where did Christopher walk to the magic bus?

Christopher would walk to the "magic" bus where he stayed. This bus had been abandonded it belonged to the city of Fairbanks, Alaska. The bus is still there many people visit the bus in honor of Christopher.

Where were the slabs located?

The Slabs were located in Niland California. There he sold books for Jan and Bob.

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