A fragmented, but honest account of his life on the road, written in the third person, the journal gives insight into McCandless’s state-of-mind and travels. It symbolizes Chris’s beliefs, worldview, and his search for truth.
Chris’s Journal Quotes in Into the Wild
The Into the Wild quotes below all refer to the symbol of Chris’s Journal. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 18
Quotes
EXTREMELY WEAK, FAULT OF POT. SEED. MUCH TROUBLE JUST TO STAND UP. STARVING. GREAT JEOPARDY.
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Explanation and Analysis:
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Chris’s Journal Symbol Timeline in Into the Wild
The timeline below shows where the symbol Chris’s Journal appears in Into the Wild. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 2 - The Stampede Trail
...the body. A camera with five rolls of exposed film, the SOS note, and a diary, written on the pages of a field guide to edible plants, are recovered along with...
(full context)
Chapter 4 - Detrital Wash
Using notes from Chris’ journal, Krakauer reports that on July 6, McCandless, ignoring posted warnings, drove off-road into the Detrital...
(full context)
...but finds that his camera has been destroyed. Even so, he exuberantly writes in his journal that he has successfully fended for himself on city streets and is thankful to be...
(full context)
Chapter 7 – Carthage
Upon leaving, Chris gives Wayne his journal, photo album and leather belt for safekeeping, and tearfully says goodbye to Gail Borah, who...
(full context)
Chapter 18 - The Stampede Trail
Near the end of July, McCandless frantically writes in his journal that he is very weak and in grave danger, also rather cryptically mentioning potato seeds.
(full context)
...to walk, McCandless spends his last days reading books and pens a goodbye in his journal, thanking God for a happy life, before crawling into the bus for his final rest....
(full context)
