How does Krakauer's choice to "give away" the ending support Krakauer's overall purpose?
A.
It highlights the danger of going into the wilderness unprepared.
B.
It allows readers to focus on the details of McCandless's life without wondering about what happens to him in the end.
C.
It increases the suspense in the novel because readers are wondering how McCandless died.
D.
It helps readers understand Jon Krakauer's own story better.
A. It highlights the danger of going into the wilderness unprepared.
B.
It allows readers to focus on the details of McCandless's life without wondering about what happens to him in the end.
By "giving away" the ending, Krakauer eliminates the element of surprise or suspense about McCandless's fate. This allows readers to engage more fully with the details of McCandless's life, experiences, and personal journey documented in the book. It supports Krakauer's overall purpose of providing insight into McCandless's motivations, character, and the themes of the book, such as the search for meaning and the delicate balance between self-discovery and self-destruction.
To determine how Krakauer's choice to "give away" the ending supports his overall purpose, we need to understand the context. Jon Krakauer is the author of the book "Into the Wild," which tells the true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who embarked on a solo adventure into the Alaskan wilderness and ultimately died there.
By choosing to reveal the ending at the outset of the book, Krakauer is actually employing a storytelling technique called "in medias res," which means starting the narrative in the middle of the events or story. In doing so, he directly addresses the outcome and fate of McCandless, which is that he dies in the wilderness.
Now, let's examine the given options:
A. It highlights the danger of going into the wilderness unprepared.
This choice may seem plausible since McCandless's death in the wilderness serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of venturing into the wild unprepared. However, the choice to "give away" the ending does not necessarily enhance this message explicitly. The focus is more on McCandless's personal journey rather than a general warning about the wilderness.
B. It allows readers to focus on the details of McCandless's life without wondering about what happens to him in the end.
This option seems logical since knowing the outcome beforehand allows readers to focus on the details and experiences of McCandless's life rather than constantly wondering about the final outcome. By giving away the ending, Krakauer directs the readers' attention towards McCandless's motivations, struggles, and personal growth throughout the book.
C. It increases the suspense in the novel because readers are wondering how McCandless died.
This option is incorrect. The choice to reveal the ending upfront eliminates any suspense regarding McCandless's death. Readers know the outcome from the beginning, and the focus instead shifts to exploring McCandless's journey.
D. It helps readers understand Jon Krakauer's own story better.
This option is also incorrect. While Krakauer does include some personal experiences and connections to McCandless's story, his main purpose in writing the book is to chronicle McCandless's life and try to understand his motivations. Revealing the ending does not significantly contribute to understanding Krakauer's own story.
In conclusion, the correct answer is B. By "giving away" the ending, Krakauer allows readers to focus on the details of McCandless's life without wondering about what happens to him in the end. This supports Krakauer's overall purpose of delving into McCandless's journey and personal growth.