Guiding Questions to Consider Before Writing

• Which philosophical or literary figures (e.g., Thoreau, Tolstoy, London) does Krakauer reference to frame McCandless's perspective, and how do these references influence the reader's understanding?
• In what ways does Krakauer's personal voice and bias affect how he presents McCandless's story?
• Can McCandless's death be viewed as a tragic outcome of his idealism, an avoidable mistake, or something that falls between the two?

Requirements

• A clearly stated thesis that presents a defensible position
• At least three pieces of textual evidence with accompanying analysis
• One counterargument addressed
• A formal academic tone
• Suggested length: 4–6 paragraphs

Your essay should:

• Introduce a clear, defensible thesis that takes a specific stance on McCandless's motivations and their philosophical or moral implications.
• Analyze at least three pieces of textual evidence (including passages, anecdotes, or Krakauer's own insights) to back up your argument.
• Address and refute a counterargument to bolster your claim.
• Connect McCandless's narrative to a larger theme — such as the American ideal of individualism, the Romantic/Transcendentalist tradition, or the clash between idealism and reality.
• Conclude by contemplating what McCandless's outcome ultimately indicates about the limits — or the significance — of adhering to one's beliefs.

Scoring focus

Strength of thesis, quality of textual evidence and analysis, sophistication of argument, and clarity of writing.

Requirements

• Develop a clear, defensible thesis that takes a stance on the central claim above.
• Support your argument with at least three pieces of textual evidence from the book, including Krakauer's commentary, McCandless's journal entries/letters, and/or the stories of people McCandless met.
• Address and counter a counterargument to strengthen your position.
• Consider how Krakauer's narrative perspective and tone influence the reader's understanding of McCandless, and weave this into your analysis.
• Conclude by linking McCandless's story to a broader theme: the tension between individualism and community in American culture and literature.

Guiding Questions to Consider

• What does McCandless's journey reveal about his values, motivations, and mental state?
• How do the people McCandless encounters along the way (e.g., Ron Franz, Wayne Westerberg) complicate a straightforward interpretation of his character?
• Does Krakauer romanticize McCandless, and if so, how does that shape the argument of the book?
• What literary or cultural traditions (e.g., Transcendentalism, the American frontier myth) does McCandless's story evoke?