Character List:Jim Gallien - dropped "Alex" off on April 28, 1992
Ken Thompson/Gordon Samel/Ferdie Swanson - find Chris's body Sept. 1992
Butch Killian - hunter from Healy who helps with body removal
Wayne Westerberg - hired Chris in SD at grain elevator; became close friends with Chris
Jan Burres - she and her boyfriend, Bob, give Chris a ride out West; meet up again at the Slabs; become friends
Tracy - falls in love with Chris at the Slabs
Ronald Franz - older man - wants to adopt Chris
Gaylord Stuckey - drives Chris to Alaska
Family
Billie - mom
Walt - dad - troubled relationship bc of bigamy and moral code
Carine - sister
Sam - half brother
Authors who influenced Chris
Jack London
Thoreau
Other adventurers
Gene Rosellini - independent of modern tech
John Waterman -
Carl McCunn - no transport back
Everett Ruess - most similar to Chris
Jon Krakauer - author but also included in story bc of personal experiences and similarities - pg. 155
Sir John Franklin - 19th century expedition
Themes
looking for "truth" pg. 29, 42, 168
a pilgrim - Manifest Destiny - born in wrong century
to live fully - near death experience with drowning
make human connections - pg. 48, but pushes back pg. 55
2 major mistakes:
1) river rose too high
2) ate seeds - might have confused pea for potato BUT also might have become poisoned by potato because seeds can become toxic especially if person is already hungry/emaciated
BUT - also hubris (overly confident), poorly prepared with no map, overly optimistic
Questions:
What is Krakauer's impression of Chris? Why do you think this is so?
Why does Krakauer mention other adventurers? What purpose do they serve?
What role does Chris's family play in his life and in his decisions?
