Chapter 13 ends with Billie, McCandless’ mother stating, “‘I just don’t understand why he had to take those kinds of chances…I just don’t understand at all’” (132). Whose story does Krakauer tell in chapter 14, and, in reference to the quotation above, why?
In chapter 14, Krakauer tells the story of Gene Rossellini, a man who also had a desire to live off the land and escape the constraints of society. Krakauer includes Rossellini’s story to explore the mindset of individuals like McCandless, who feel a strong urge to disconnect from society and test their limits in the wilderness. By juxtaposing McCandless’ story with Rossellini’s, Krakauer aims to show that there are others who share the same desire for adventure and freedom, even if their paths ultimately led to different outcomes. This comparison helps to shed light on the motivations and beliefs that drive individuals like McCandless to take the risks that they do.
