This thesis aims to critically analyze the intertextual references in the book “Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer, to the transcendentalist movement which occurred in in 19th century America. The thesis will develop a thematic analysis of the differences and similarities between Transcendentalist literary icons, such as Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Christopher McCandless, the book’s protagonist. It will explore various themes from the transcendentalist doctrine and identify areas where Krakauer applies Thoreau’s ideas and principles in an effort to characterize McCandless in the narrative. The result of Krakauer’s formulated parallels between the transcendentalists and McCandless has created a long-standing polarisation amongst readers where some accuse Krakauer of using Thoreau and Emerson to create a highly romanticized and idealized portrayal of McCandless and criticize him for not representing McCandless’ death as foolish and senseless. Others seem to think that the analogies drawn are justified because they accentuate McCandless’ transcendentalist qualities and provide an accurate depiction of his moral nature and idealism. Each chapter of the thesis will encompass a specific concept or theme belonging to Transcendentalism and explore Krakauer’s intertextual use of the movement with the aim of exposing both sides of the argument. It will also establish how these references have shaped the reader’s perception of the protagonist and how intertextuality in Into the Wild has contributed to the cult phenomenon surrounding Christopher McCandless.
In a broad sense, the term intertextuality can be defined as the study of a presence of a text within another text and it is most often employed in literary analysis. It describes the intricate relationship and interconnectedness which exists betweenworks of literature with the general assumption that texts gain their meaning through evocation of other texts. The concept was developed in the late 1960s by poststructuralist Julia Kristeva who states that “a text is a permutation of texts, an intertextuality in the space of a given text in which several utterances, taken from other texts, intersect and neutralize one another”. Essentially, all texts contain traces of other texts. Intertextuality is the concept of texts using ideological concepts, themes, stylistic technique or even just certain words and phrases borrowed from another text.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Chapter One: Nature and Wilderness
- 1.1 Krakauer’s use of epigraphs
- 1.2 The Allure of the Wilderness
- 1.3 Nature as an opposing force
- Chapter Two: Religion and Spirituality
- 2.1 Krakauer’s portrayal of McCandless as a spiritual being
- 2.2 Intertextual references to a non-transcendental writer
- 2.3 Transcendentalist elements of McCandless’ Spiritual beliefs
- Chapter Three: Self Reliance and Nonconformity
- 3.1 McCandless portrayed as a self-reliant individual
- 3.2 McCandless defiance against government
Objectives and Key Themes
This thesis aims to analyze the intertextual references to the Transcendentalist movement in Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild and their role in shaping the portrayal of Christopher McCandless. It examines the interplay between Transcendentalist themes and McCandless's actions and motivations, exploring the resulting polarization of reader interpretations.
- Transcendentalist Intertextuality in Into the Wild
- The Portrayal of Christopher McCandless
- Reader Interpretation and Polarization
- The Role of Nature in McCandless's Journey
- McCandless's Spiritual Beliefs and their Connection to Transcendentalism
Chapter Summaries
Chapter One: Nature and Wilderness: This chapter explores the theme of nature and wilderness in Into the Wild, examining Krakauer's use of epigraphs, primarily from Thoreau's work, to shape reader perception of McCandless. It analyzes the portrayal of the wilderness as both an alluring escape and a potentially hostile force, highlighting the contrasting views of nature found in Thoreau's writings and their impact on the interpretation of McCandless's journey and his ultimate fate. The chapter contrasts the idealized view of nature with the harsh realities McCandless faced, illustrating his preparedness (or lack thereof) for the Alaskan wilderness.
Chapter Two: Religion and Spirituality: This chapter delves into the spiritual and religious themes present in Into the Wild, investigating Krakauer's portrayal of McCandless's spiritual beliefs and their connection to Transcendentalism. It examines Krakauer's use of intertextual references, including passages from Thoreau and Tolstoy, to suggest McCandless's spiritual motivations. The chapter analyzes how these references shape the reader's perception of McCandless, exploring the debate surrounding whether he was a visionary seeker or a misguided individual. The chapter also touches upon Krakauer's own interpretation and biases in the characterization.
Chapter Three: Self Reliance and Nonconformity: This chapter focuses on the themes of self-reliance and nonconformity in Into the Wild, drawing parallels between McCandless's actions and the Transcendentalist philosophy of Emerson and Thoreau. It explores McCandless's rejection of societal norms and his defiance of government regulations, analyzing these actions in light of Thoreau's concept of civil disobedience. The chapter discusses how Krakauer's use of intertextuality reinforces the portrayal of McCandless as a self-reliant individual, while also acknowledging the criticisms of this interpretation and the resulting polarization of reader opinions.
Keywords
Into the Wild, Jon Krakauer, Christopher McCandless, Transcendentalism, Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Intertextuality, Nature, Wilderness, Spirituality, Self-Reliance, Nonconformity, Reader Response, Biographical Narrative, Literary Amplification.
Into the Wild: A Transcendentalist Interpretation - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of this analysis of *Into the Wild*?
This analysis focuses on the intertextual references to the Transcendentalist movement within Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild and how these references shape the portrayal of Christopher McCandless. It examines the interplay between Transcendentalist themes and McCandless's actions, exploring the resulting diverse reader interpretations.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
The key themes explored include Transcendentalist intertextuality in Into the Wild, the portrayal of Christopher McCandless (including his self-reliance and nonconformity), reader interpretation and polarization, the role of nature in McCandless's journey, and McCandless's spiritual beliefs and their connection to Transcendentalism.
Which chapters are included in the analysis and what are their respective focuses?
The analysis is structured into three chapters. Chapter One explores the theme of nature and wilderness, examining Krakauer's use of epigraphs (especially from Thoreau) to shape reader perception of McCandless and contrasting idealized views of nature with the harsh realities he faced. Chapter Two delves into the spiritual and religious themes, investigating McCandless's spiritual beliefs and their connection to Transcendentalism through intertextual references from Thoreau and Tolstoy. Chapter Three focuses on self-reliance and nonconformity, drawing parallels between McCandless's actions and Transcendentalist philosophy, analyzing his rejection of societal norms and his defiance of government regulations in light of Thoreau's concept of civil disobedience.
How does the analysis address reader interpretation?
The analysis acknowledges the polarization of reader opinions regarding McCandless, recognizing the diverse interpretations of his actions and motivations. It explores how Krakauer's use of intertextuality and his own potential biases contribute to this polarization.
What specific Transcendentalist figures are referenced in the analysis?
The analysis heavily references the works and philosophies of Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson, key figures of the Transcendentalist movement. These references are crucial in understanding the intertextual connections within Into the Wild and their impact on the portrayal of McCandless.
What are the key takeaways from this analysis?
The key takeaway is a deeper understanding of how the intertextual references to Transcendentalism shape the reader's interpretation of Christopher McCandless in Into the Wild. The analysis highlights the complexity of McCandless's character and the multifaceted nature of his journey, showing how his actions can be understood through the lens of Transcendentalist ideals while also acknowledging the criticisms and controversies surrounding his story.
What keywords best describe this analysis?
Into the Wild, Jon Krakauer, Christopher McCandless, Transcendentalism, Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Intertextuality, Nature, Wilderness, Spirituality, Self-Reliance, Nonconformity, Reader Response, Biographical Narrative, Literary Amplification.
- Quote paper
- Claudine Callaghan (Author), 2017, A Thematic Analysis of the Intertextual References to Transcendentalism in Jon Krakauer’s “Into the Wild” and their Role in the Portrayal of Christopher McCandless, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/388597
