Chapters 12-14

Vocabulary: clemency, amicable, sanctimonious, keening, apologia, fatuous

Chapter 12:

  1. What do we find out about Walt and Chris’s relationship in this chapter?
  2. Do you think this betrayal by Walt explains why Chris was the way he was? Why or why not?

Chapter 13:

  1. On the last page of chapter 13 it says “As she (Billie) studies the pictures, she breaks down from time to time, weeping as only a mother who has outlived her child can weep, betraying a sense of loss so huge that the mind balks at taking its measure. Such bereavement, witnessed at close range, makes even the most eloquent apologia for high risk activities ring fatuous and hollow.” What words make this passage so moving and emotional? Does Krakauer do this on purpose? Why?

Chapter 14:

  1. Why does Krakauer talk about himself in these two chapters?
  2. Do you think it was a good idea for Krakauer to interject himself into the story?
  3. What is your reaction to his description of his own climbing experience?
  4. How is Krakauer’s life related to McCandless’s?
  5. John Menlove Edwards said that climbing is a “psycho-neurotic tendency.” Do you think that is so? Explain.

Chapters 12-14

Vocabulary: clemency, amicable, sanctimonious, keening, apologia, fatuous

Chapter 12:

1. What do we find out about Walt and Chris’s relationship in this chapter?

2. Do you think this betrayal by Walt explains why Chris was the way he was? Why or why not?

Chapter 13:

  1. On the last page of chapter 13 it says “As she (Billie) studies the pictures, she breaks down from time to time, weeping as only a mother who has outlived her child can weep, betraying a sense of loss so huge that the mind balks at taking its measure. Such bereavement, witnessed at close range, makes even the most eloquent apologia for high risk activities ring fatuous and hollow.” What words make this passage so moving and emotional? Does Krakauer do this on purpose? Why?

Chapter 14:

1. Why does Krakauer talk about himself in these two chapters?

2. Do you think it was a good idea for Krakauer to interject himself into the story?

3. What is your reaction to his description of his own climbing experience?

4. How is Krakauer’s life related to McCandless’s?

5. John Menlove Edwards said that climbing is a “psycho-neurotic tendency.” Do you think that is so? Explain.