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
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This thesis examines the use of Transcendentalist intertextuality by Jon Krakauer in his biography Into the Wild to characterize Christopher McCandless. It explores how Krakauer’s thematic application of Transcendentalist concepts—such as nature, spirituality, and self-reliance—functions as a literary device to frame McCandless as a heroic figure, thereby fueling polarized public discourse regarding his legacy.
- Analysis of Transcendentalist intertextual references in Into the Wild.
- Characterization of Christopher McCandless through literary amplification.
- The role of the wilderness as both a spiritual retreat and an opposing force.
- Examination of the debate between the "visionary seeker" versus "foolish greenhorn" interpretations.
- The influence of Thoreauvian and Emersonian philosophy on the narrative structure.
Excerpt from the Book
1.2 The Allure of the Wilderness
From the outset, Krakauer draws reader’s attention to the fact that that McCandless was an ardent admirer of Thoreau’s ideas and principles. Krakauer makes his first direct comparison to Thoreau in chapter four when he states that McCandless “answered to statutes of a higher order” and “took as gospel the essay On the Duty of Civil Disobedience” (28). In this instance, it is discernible to readers that Krakauer is attempting to justify McCandless’ life decisions by equating his values and motives to that of a 19th century transcendentalist figure. If readers of Into the Wild are in any way familiar with Thoreau’s Walden; or Life in the Woods then it is likely that they will continue to compare McCandless’ motives to that of Thoreau throughout the novel which would potentially elevate McCandless the same literary hero status that Thoreau enjoys.
Krakauer draws parallels between the trajectories of both Thoreau and McCandless and their desire to disconnect from the trials and tribulations of society and to enter the wilderness where they hoped to find truth by retreating to the natural world. In his concluding chapter, Thoreau speaks triumphantly about his experiences and lessons learned while living in self-imposed isolation in a cabin at Walden pond;
Summary of Chapters
Chapter One: Nature and Wilderness: This chapter analyzes the role of nature in the narrative, focusing on how Krakauer uses epigraphs and references to Thoreau to present the Alaskan wilderness as both a transformative spiritual space and a dangerous, unforgiving force.
Chapter Two: Religion and Spirituality: This chapter examines how Krakauer constructs McCandless's spiritual identity by linking his motivations and ascetic tendencies to Transcendentalist beliefs and the philosophy of early American thinkers.
Chapter Three: Self Reliance and Nonconformity: This chapter explores how Krakauer uses Transcendentalist ideals of nonconformity and civil disobedience to justify McCandless's rejection of social norms, government laws, and materialistic lifestyle.
Keywords
Into the Wild, Jon Krakauer, Christopher McCandless, Transcendentalism, Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Intertextuality, Wilderness, Self-reliance, Nonconformity, Spiritual pilgrimage, Literary amplification, Biography, Nature, Transcendentalist movement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this thesis?
The thesis focuses on how Jon Krakauer uses intertextual references to the Transcendentalist movement to shape the reader's perception of Christopher McCandless in his book Into the Wild.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The central themes include the allure of the wilderness, religious and spiritual motivations, the concept of self-reliance, and the practice of nonconformity as interpreted through a Transcendentalist lens.
What is the core research objective?
The goal is to determine how Krakauer’s literary device of intertextuality creates a polarized portrayal of McCandless, effectively elevating him to a tragic, heroic status in the eyes of some readers while drawing criticism from others.
Which research methodology is employed?
The thesis adopts a thematic analysis approach, identifying and examining specific intertextual references to Transcendentalist literature throughout the narrative of Into the Wild.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body is divided into three thematic chapters: one on nature and wilderness, one on religion and spirituality, and one on self-reliance and nonconformity, each linking Krakauer's text to the ideas of Thoreau and Emerson.
What key terms define this analysis?
Key terms include Transcendentalism, intertextuality, literary amplification, wilderness, nonconformity, and biographical narrative.
How does Krakauer use the "magic bus" as a symbol?
The bus is presented as a site of pilgrimage and a symbolic location where the reader encounters the intersection of McCandless's death and Krakauer's romanticized portrayal of his journey.
Does the author conclude that McCandless was a hero?
The thesis argues that Krakauer uses literary techniques to mythologize McCandless, though it also notes that this interpretation remains a point of deep controversy, with many critics viewing him instead as an unprepared individual who disregarded the dangers of the wilderness.
- Citar trabajo
- Claudine Callaghan (Autor), 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, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/388597
