Literary and Rhetorical Devices in into the Wild

In Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild, the story follows Chris McCandless and his journey into the Alaskan wilderness. The author of a novel always plays an essential role in portraying the purpose to the audience. Krakauer, an American writer and mountaineer, is primarily known for writing stories about the outdoors, mostly mountain climbing. In this work, he utilizes literary devices in Into the Wild such as vivid imagery, logical reasoning, and suspenseful foreshadowing to depict McCandless’ journey into the dangers of Alaska.

These devices not only bring McCandless’ experiences to life but also invite readers to reflect on the themes of adventure, isolation, and human resilience.

Imagery

Imagery is used throughout the entire book, describing the Alaskan frontier along with the roads and trails Chris journeyed through to get there. One example of imagery from the book is found in the description: “Between the flinty crests of the two outermost escarpments of the Outer Range runs an east-west trough, maybe five miles across, carpeted in a boggy amalgam of muskeg, alder thickets, and veins of scrawny spruce” (10). Adding discrete diction about the obscure geography of the wilderness helps the readers visualize the struggles that Chris faced. The author chooses to utilize jargon in order to add reality to the novel and amplifies imagery by providing more concrete details. This detailed visual language immerses the reader, helping them connect emotionally with the challenges McCandless endured.

Logos

As for logos, it was used multiple times throughout the story but mostly in chapters eight and nine. In those chapters, Krakauer tries to convince readers that McCandless is not the only one that had those unhinged thoughts. Chapter 8 is homed in on Gene Rossellini, John Waterman, and Carl McGunn, and Chapter 9 focuses on Everett Ruess. During these chapters, Krakauer connects similarities between McCandless and these four men. The arguments are presented in a logical format with evidence supporting the claims, which could potentially change the audience’s views on McCandless. Also, the author adds that Chris was an Emory graduate where he had been a colonist for and editor of the school newspaper and distinguished himself as a history and anthropology scholar with a 3.72 GPA (20). Krakauer includes this information for the audience in order to demonstrate that there was more to Chris’ story than him just being a psychopath. This strategic use of rhetorical devices in Into the Wild allows readers to see McCandless as a multifaceted individual, rather than a reckless adventurer.

Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is another key tool Krakauer uses to create suspense and emotional engagement. The author reveals Chris McCandless’ death in the second chapter of Into the Wild. The addition of Jack London’s epilogue from White Fang is the first hint that Chris McCandless did not survive. The excerpt from White Fang states that Alaska was a desolation, lifeless, without movement, so lone and cold that the spirit of it was not even that of sadness. It was masterful and incommunicable wisdom of eternity laughing at the futility of life and the effort of life (9). Krakauer chooses to add this passage from Jack London in order to create suspense and mystery. The sense of loneliness and darkness of Alaska the readers receive creates an urgency to keep reading. This foreshadowing deepens the emotional weight of the story, encouraging readers to uncover the events that led to McCandless’ tragic end.

Into the Wild tells the story of a young, daring, courageous, yet crazy man whose wildest dream was to survive off the land in Alaska. The author, Jon Krakauer writes the unique novel that describes the events that lead to Chris’ unfortunate death. Krakauer integrates vivid imagery of Alaska, detailed jargon and diction, and foreshadowing of Chris’ fate to explain his sorrowful yet inspiring journey into the wild. This analysis of literary and rhetorical devices in Into the Wild showcases Krakauer’s ability to blend emotion, logic, and suspense, crafting a timeless narrative that resonates with readers.

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