Into The Wild Full Book Quiz

Delving Deep: An Into the Wild Full Book Quiz to Test Your Knowledge

Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild remains a poignant and controversial exploration of self-discovery, societal rejection, and the allure of the wilderness, making it a compelling subject for an Into the Wild full book quiz. This quiz isn't just about remembering facts; it's about understanding Chris McCandless, his motivations, and the impact his journey had on those he encountered. Sharpen your mind and prepare to test your knowledge of this captivating tale.

Round 1: Early Life and Influences

This section will delve into the formative years of Chris McCandless, examining his family life, academic achievements, and the philosophies that shaped his worldview.

1. What was Chris McCandless's birth name?
2. What sport did Chris excel at in high school?
3. Which college did Chris attend, and what was his major?
4. What did Chris do with the $24,000 he had saved for college?
5. What author and philosophy heavily influenced Chris's thinking?
6. Describe Chris's relationship with his parents.
7. What event during Chris's childhood significantly strained his relationship with his father?
8. What car did Chris drive, and what ultimately happened to it?
9. What was the name Chris adopted after leaving Atlanta?
10. What was Chris’s sister’s name?

Round 2: The Journey Begins

This section focuses on Chris's travels across the United States and Mexico, exploring the people he met and the lessons he learned along the way.

1. What was Chris's first major destination after leaving Atlanta?
2. What type of work did Chris do in Bullhead City, Arizona?
3. Who was Jan Burres, and what was her connection to Chris?
4. Who was Wayne Westerberg, and how did he impact Chris's journey?
5. What skill did Wayne Westerberg teach Chris?
6. What was the significance of Carthage, South Dakota, to Chris?
7. What did Chris do with his license and registration?
8. What name did Chris use when working for Wayne Westerberg?
9. Where did Chris illegally paddle his canoe?
10. What happened to Chris’s canoe?

Round 3: The Alaskan Wilderness

This section examines Chris's time in Alaska, focusing on his preparations, experiences in the wild, and the ultimate tragedy.

1. What was the official name of the Stampede Trail?
2. What was the condition of the bus that Chris found?
3. What book did Chris use to identify edible plants?
4. What animal did Chris successfully hunt and kill?
5. Why was Chris unable to leave the wilderness when he decided to return to civilization?
6. What suspected toxin may have contributed to Chris's death?
7. What items were found with Chris’s body?
8. What SOS note did Chris leave at the bus?
9. How long did Chris spend in the wild before his death?
10. What did Chris photograph himself doing shortly before his death?

Round 4: Krakauer's Investigation and Analysis

This section explores Jon Krakauer's research and analysis of Chris McCandless's journey, including the author's own connections to the story.

1. What is Jon Krakauer's personal connection to Chris's story?
2. What other stories of wilderness survival does Krakauer explore in the book?
3. What is Krakauer's explanation for Chris's motivations?
4. What criticism did Krakauer face for his portrayal of Chris?
5. What is the name of the mountain Krakauer climbed in his youth?
6. What does Krakauer find when he visits the bus?
7. What does Walt McCandless do when he visits the bus?
8. What is the significance of the title, Into the Wild?
9. What different theories exist regarding Chris's cause of death?
10. How does Krakauer feel about Chris’s journey?

Round 5: Themes and Interpretations

This section delves into the deeper themes and interpretations of Into the Wild, encouraging critical thinking and discussion.

1. What are some of the major themes explored in Into the Wild?
2. Is Chris McCandless a hero or a fool? Argue your position.
3. How does Into the Wild critique modern society?
4. What is the role of nature in the story?
5. How does Chris's idealism contribute to his downfall?
6. What is the significance of Chris's rejection of material possessions?
7. What does the story say about the relationship between fathers and sons?
8. How does the book explore the theme of identity?
9. What are the potential dangers of romanticizing the wilderness?
10. What are the lessons that can be learned from Chris McCandless's story?

Answer Key

Round 1: Early Life and Influences

1. Christopher Johnson McCandless
2. Cross-country running
3. Emory University; History and Anthropology
4. Donated it to OXFAM, a charity dedicated to fighting hunger
5. Henry David Thoreau and Jack London
6. Complex and strained, particularly with his father
7. Discovering that his father had maintained a relationship with a previous wife and child while married to his mother
8. A yellow Datsun; it was abandoned after being damaged in a flash flood.
9. Alexander Supertramp
10. Carine McCandless

Round 2: The Journey Begins

1. Lake Mead, Arizona
2. Flipping burgers at McDonald's
3. A traveling saleswoman who befriended Chris and offered him support
4. An owner of a grain elevator in Carthage, South Dakota, who gave Chris a job and a place to stay
5. How to work with grain and operate machinery
6. It provided Chris with a temporary home and a sense of community
7. He burned them
8. Alex
9. The Colorado River to the Gulf of California
10. It was lost in a storm

Round 3: The Alaskan Wilderness

1. It doesn’t have an official name.
2. It was dilapidated and abandoned, but provided shelter
3. Tanaina Plantlore by Anore Grace
4. A moose
5. The Teklanika River, which he had crossed earlier in the year, was now a raging torrent due to snowmelt
6. ODAP (Oxalyl-diAmino-Propionic acid) found in Hedysarum alpinum (wild potato) seeds
7. His diary, a camera, books, and personal belongings
8. "I need your help. I am injured, near death, and too weak to hike out of here. I am all alone, this is NO JOKE. In the name of God, please remain to save me. I am out collecting berries close by and shall return this evening. Thank you, Chris McCandless."
9. Approximately 114 days
10. Reading the book Doctor Zhivago

Round 4: Krakauer's Investigation and Analysis

1. He also had a strong desire to challenge himself in the wilderness and experienced a similar yearning for adventure in his youth.
2. He discusses other individuals who have sought extreme challenges in nature, such as Everett Ruess.
3. Krakauer believes Chris was driven by a desire for self-discovery, a rejection of societal norms, and a yearning for a pure, unmediated experience with nature.
4. Some critics argued that Krakauer romanticized Chris's actions and failed to adequately address the recklessness of his decisions.
5. The Devils Thumb
6. Notes and reflections left by visitors
7. Walt McCandless places a memorial plaque and a suitcase filled with survival supplies inside the bus.
8. It reflects Chris's desire to leave behind the constraints of society and immerse himself in the raw, untamed wilderness.
9. Starvation, poisoning from wild potato seeds, mold, or a combination of factors.
10. Krakauer views Chris with a mixture of empathy and understanding, recognizing the idealism and passion that drove him, while also acknowledging the flaws in his judgment.

Round 5: Themes and Interpretations

1. Self-discovery, the allure of the wilderness, the rejection of societal norms, the relationship between fathers and sons, the dangers of idealism.
2. Answers will vary, but arguments should be supported with evidence from the text.
3. The book critiques consumerism, conformity, and the perceived superficiality of modern life.
4. Nature is presented as both a source of beauty and a dangerous, unforgiving force.
5. His idealism leads him to underestimate the challenges of wilderness survival and to reject practical advice.
6. It symbolizes his rejection of materialism and his desire to live a simpler, more authentic life.
7. The story highlights the complex and often strained relationship between fathers and sons, exploring themes of control, rebellion, and forgiveness.
8. Chris's journey is a search for identity, as he sheds his former self and embraces a new persona in the wilderness.
9. It can lead to underestimation of the risks involved and a lack of preparation.
10. The importance of balance, the need for self-awareness, and the potential consequences of extreme idealism.

Analyzing Your Score

• 40-50 Correct: You are a true Into the Wild expert! Your understanding of the book's details, themes, and interpretations is exceptional. You've not only read the book closely but have also absorbed its deeper meanings.
• 30-39 Correct: Excellent knowledge! You have a strong grasp of the major plot points, characters, and themes. You likely have a good understanding of Krakauer's analysis and the controversies surrounding Chris McCandless.
• 20-29 Correct: Good understanding. You remember the core elements of the story but might need to brush up on some of the finer details and deeper interpretations.
• 10-19 Correct: Basic knowledge. You are familiar with the general story but need to revisit the book to gain a more comprehensive understanding.
• Below 10 Correct: Time to reread Into the Wild! This quiz highlights significant gaps in your knowledge of the book.

The Enduring Legacy of Into the Wild

Into the Wild continues to spark debate and inspire reflection. Whether you view Chris McCandless as a reckless idealist or a courageous adventurer, his story compels us to consider our own relationship with nature, society, and ourselves. This Into the Wild full book quiz serves as a reminder of the power of literature to provoke thought and challenge our perspectives. The journey, like Chris’s, is ultimately about the questions it raises within us.