Essays on Into The Wild

Into The Wild
Original title Into The Wild
Author Jon Krakauer
Genre

Biography/True Travel Essay

Language English
Characters Chris McCandless, Walt McCandless, Billie McCandless, Jim Gallien, Wayne Westerberg, Ron Franz, Jan Burres, Bobbi McCandless, Carine McCandless, Dave Reede ...
Published January 13, 1996
ISBN 978-0-14-303655-2
Book Summary
Essay Examples

Table of Contents

About Into the Wild Book

Into the Wild is a nonfiction story written in 1996 by Jon Krakauer. Jon Krakauer had written a long article on the character of Chris McCandless called, Death of an Innocent. After the article was published in 1993 in the issue of the outside publication, it was eventually published into a book in 1996, and in 2007, it was adapted into a movie that bore the same name. Into the Wild is one of the most popular books in the 90s, with over one hundred and seventy editions and thirty languages adaptation.

Into the Wild has long been included in America’s high school and colleges’ reading curriculum. Into the Wild has attracted several reviews and critics, and essays. However, many claims have risen over the decades that the acclaimed nonfiction was far from being one. 

 Into the Wild Summary

Into the Wild narrates the story of a young man called Chris McCandless, an Emory graduate whose lifeless body was found in the wilderness of Alaska in 1992. According to the book, McCandless was only twenty-four years old, a silver-spoon born from the Virginia suburbs of Washington D.C. McCandless is described as an intelligent young man, passionate and morally upright.

After his high school graduation, he goes on a road trip where he discovers that his father had a second family.

During his senior year, he was already living a solitary life, driving away from his friends and never keeping in touch with his parents. He lies to his parents about his interest in studying law. The hook comes when after his graduation, he gives out his savings of $24,000 to charity.

After his anonymous donation, he goes into the wilderness, hitchhiking, reading, and exploring nature alone. McCandless realizes he will die after eating a poisonous mold seed.

Into the Wild Quotes

“He was unheeded, happy, and near to the wild heart of life. He was alone and young and wilful and wild-hearted, alone amid a waste of wild air and brackish waters and the sea harvest of shells and tangle and veiled grey sunlight.” the Author

“I now walk into the wild.” Christopher McCandless.

“The desert sharpened the sweet ache of his longing, amplified it, gave shape to it in sere geology and clean slant of light.” – Christopher McCandless

“He was unheeded, happy, and near to the wild heart of life. He was alone and young and wilful and wild-hearted amid a waste of wild air and brackish waters and the sea harvest of shells and tangle and veiled grey sunlight.” Jon Krakauer

“The desert sharpened the sweet ache of his longing, amplified it, gave shape to it in sere geology and clean slant of light. Christopher McCandless.

 

Essay Structure on Into the Wild

Introduction

The introduction is the most critical part of your essay. It is where your thesis is briefly presented, and it is where your readers get to know your arguments and position on the book. A good introduction is also a prompt to reading more of your essay.

For a good introduction, you need to catch your reader’s attention and make them want to read more. McCandless’ statement, I now walk into the wild, is a great start for an introductory reference. It gives an insight into the book itself. By doing this, students can include a phrase from the book or an instance that depicts both the book and our everyday life.  McCandless’ urge to draw away from human relations can be associated with depression, a phase almost everyone feels at a period.

Once your first few sentences have caught the attention of your reader, you can then move on to stating your thesis. Students have to stick with their thesis. Now, you can move to the next paragraph, the body of your essay.

The Body Paragraphs

After choosing your argument, conducting your research, and stating your thesis, the body of your paragraph is meant to explain in detail your supported arguments. It is vital to start your body paragraph with a strong and unique statement. Then, other paragraphs can include your supporting ideas or instances that support your points.

Also, while writing your body paragraphs, avoid writing in vague language. Always explain your arguments in simple and plain language. You can pick up an example from the book and explain in detail why the instance is relevant to your argument. 

Conclusion

Contrary to people’s position on what a conclusion should be, the conclusion for your essay should be your final paragraph and not the summary of your essay. Take time to analyze the book alongside with your thesis, at the end, you should then make your closing a chance to solidify your argument. 

Finally, your conclusion should also remind your readers about the moral lesson from the book. Let there be a call to action to uphold the moral standard you preach in your essay.

 Tips to Consider While Writing An essay About Into the Wild

Read the book thoroughly

A good Into The Wild essay cannot be written if you haven’t read the book. You need to read the story properly and write from your understanding of the book. While reading the book, you should underline and take note of quotes, questions, and aspects of the texts that are relevant to your essay. Quoting words from the few conversations between McCandless and his family will help you understand the characters, the plots, and the moral lesson.

Also, through the conversation between the characters, you will discover how the writer tries to discourage particular vices and encourage virtues. You cannot find a compelling topic without reading the book thoroughly.

Find a compelling topic

Your essay topic is very crucial. Remember that your readers tend to read the topic first, which prompts them to continue or stop reading. However, you can’t find a compelling topic if you haven’t read the book.

A compelling topic can be gotten from asking relevant questions about the book. These questions are most likely on the mind of everyone who has also read the book. Also, know what the story is about, what the social problems of the stories are, and the proposed solution to them. The answers to these questions can give you the right topic for your essay.

Write the thesis statement

Your thesis is the center of your essay. It is then important to have a strong and detailed thesis statement. Have all your arguments into several points, at least three points, and include supportive points. Your supportive points should come directly from the book. It can be an event in the book, a character, or a brief story from the book.

Create the outline

Now that you have a thesis. The next step is to organize your thesis. Decide which of your arguments comes first and which one comes last. An outline will help you create a solid structure for your essay, and it will give you a framework on which your essay will be built. Your outline should have three parts: the introductory part, the body paragraphs, and the conclusion. You can create an outline with the structure of the book; how the plot is arranged.

Include a lesson or moral

Every work of art is not without a moral lesson. The morals of the story are often found in the themes of your essay. Your essay should carry your opinions, argument, point of view, and position on the story’s main theme.  McCandless’ determination to run away from humans leads him to his untimely death. However, considering that he keeps meeting people the further he goes, signifies that death could be his only option. However, you can not find a moral lesson without first having your thesis ready or first maintaining a position on the book. 

Conclusion: Proofread your work

Lastly, read through your essay. While you read through, make sure you are not in haste while you do it. Reading through will help you discover errors and points that should be removed or included. The purpose of proofreading is to reorganize your thoughts, your language, and your grammar.

Writing an essay on Into the Wild is easy. However, if you need professional assistance with your essay, our writers are available to give you the perfect piece.

FAQs

What Is the Main Message Of Into the Wild?

Into the Wild centers on betrayal from people you love as Chris finds it difficult to believe that his father has another family outside their home. He holds a huge grudge against them for this and he starts to see human relations as futile. Chris then goes into isolation where he finds his death.

What is a Good Thesis Statement for Into the Wild?

A good thesis statement is the “endearing nature of the wilderness.” McCandless finds the wilderness as the only place he can find solace as he feels betrayed by people. However, the wilderness, like people, is not free from evil.

What is the Summary of Into the Wild?

Into the Wild is a story of a young man, Christopher McCandless, who struggles with the betrayal from his family. He is a brilliant young man, passionate and hardworking. He starts to withdraw from things and the people he loves as he discovers secret stuff about his parents.

What is the Conclusion of Into the Wild

Into the wild ends with McCandless’s death after months of isolation. In his search for food, he had eaten a poisonous fruit that later killed him. However, his death comes after he goes deeper into the wilderness because he keeps meeting humans. This could mean that death is the only isolation he could get.

Save Time On Research and Writing
Hire a Pro to Write You a 100% Plagiarism-Free Paper.
Get My Paper
We've found 29 essay samples about Into The Wild
Prev
1 of 1
Next

FAQ about Into The Wild

Why Did Chris Mccandless Go Into The Wild
...Why did Chris Mccandless go into the wild? He did this to achieve his goal to reach Alaska on his own with little help from others and relied on himself to make it on his own. He was so proud of himself and even took a photo that he has made it to Al...
Live chat  with support 24/7