Into the Wild

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer was an inspiring and harrowing read.

I think this text would be appropriate for a high school or a middle school audience. The text is not a particularly difficult read and while it does handle subjects like death, sexuality, homelessness and vagrancy, nothing in the book seems to be outside of a middle schooler’s ability to handle with support.

I could see this book being used in a book talk/lit circle, but I also see why it has earned a spot as a common part of curriculum. The way that this text interacts with American literature and American ideology is a great way to highlight themes that emerge across American literature. The frequent references to transcendental writers such as Thoreau and Hawthorne and the impact that literature itself had on the life of Chris McCandless are an excellent way to have students make connections to classic literature.

Challenges with Into the Wild are mostly ideological. I don’t think students or administrators would have issues with the text, but I could see parents being upset that the text romanticizes vagrancy. Ideologically, this could be one of the most dangerous texts we’ve dealt with thus far, simply because it offers a tantalizing perspective of a relatively dangerous and socially unacceptable lifestyle. Of everyone involved, parents might be the most opposed to the use of this text.

Personally, I really enjoyed the story of this book. The way it challenges the boundaries of social convention is refreshing and exciting. I also appreciated the impact of literature on the life of Chris McCandless throughout the story. I can definitely see myself sharing this book with my students in the future.