Into the Wild: Chapter 18 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What date did McCandless arrive back at the bus?

July 8th

When McCandless couldn't cross the river, he was concerned.

False

During July, what does McCandless note about the weather?

That it rained for a week straight

Because of the food he had been eating and activity he had been doing, McCandless racked up...

A large calorific deficit Signup and view all the answers

What did McCandless note from Doctor Zhivago, the last book he ever read?

"Happiness only real when shared" Signup and view all the answers

What was McCandless' diary entry on July 30th?

"Extremely weak" Signup and view all the answers

Westerberg suspects potato seeds killed McCandless. Why?

From the 'Pot.Seed', he recalls that McCandless took seeds for a vegetable farm and he may have eaten them, which are mildly toxic when sprouted with a chemical found in nightshades. Signup and view all the answers

He would have had to eat pounds of potato seeds to be affected.

True Signup and view all the answers

What does Tanaina Plantlore note about wild potato?

It was essential to the Dena'ina people, is extremely sweet and best eaten in the spring. Signup and view all the answers

What did McCandless' journal entry (July 14th) state he had started eating?

The seeds of the wild potato Signup and view all the answers

What might McCandless have mixed up with the seeds of the wild potato?

The seeds of Hendysarum Mackenzii which journalists largely concluded killed him. Signup and view all the answers

Where is the last record of Hendysarum Mackenzii causing death?

Sir John Richards of 1848 Signup and view all the answers

What did Krakauer later find about the Hendysarum Mackenzii seeds?

That they couldn't have killed the boy as they were not toxic. Signup and view all the answers

What does Krakauer believe actually killed McCandless?

Swainsone, a mold that grows out of the damp (from a week's rain) in Ziploc bags, needs glucose reserve to flush out but isn't had, ensuring starvation. Signup and view all the answers

The end of July leads to the beginning of what season?

Autumn, nights grew seven minutes darker. Signup and view all the answers

When did McCandless reach 100 days?

August 5th, though this was also his weakest state. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to McCandless' journal as he grew weaker?

Entries grew intermittent. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the cabins?

McCandless could have saved himself, though they'd been vandalized (found so by July). Signup and view all the answers

What date did McCandless drag himself out foraging?

August 12th. Signup and view all the answers

Why wouldn't Chris start a fire?

It wouldn't be effective as there was no flight path, and Chris thought it wouldn't work. Signup and view all the answers

The final stage of starvation is?

Euphoria. Signup and view all the answers

What did McCandless say about his life on the note he wrote for the photo?

"I have had a happy life". Signup and view all the answers

How long does Krakauer believe McCandless lived?

112 days. Signup and view all the answers

What does Krakauer do to eliminate the disrespectful literary communication of McCandless' death?

Uses scientific and factual information. Signup and view all the answers

How does McCandless dramatize his death?

Using short simple declarative sentences. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

McCandless' Final Days and Observations

McCandless returned to the bus on July 8th.
In his journals, he indicated no concern about crossing the river and planned to wait until August.
July experienced continuous rain for a week, impacting McCandless' food supply and overall condition.
Due to his limited food intake and physical activity, McCandless experienced a significant caloric deficit.
His last book, Doctor Zhivago, contained the quote: "HAPPINESS ONLY REAL WHEN SHARED."

Health and Diet Concerns

On July 30th, McCandless recorded feeling "EXTREMELY WEAK" in his diary.
Westerberg theorized that toxic potato seeds might have caused McCandless' decline due to the consumption of "Pot.Seed".
However, Westerberg's suspicion was challenged since McCandless would have needed to eat excessive amounts to be affected.
The Tanaina Plantlore highlights wild potato as an essential, sweet spring food for the Dena'ina people.
On July 14th, McCandless noted he had started eating wild potato seeds.

Misidentification and Toxicity of Seeds

McCandless might have confused wild potato seeds with Hendysarum Mackenzii, which was erroneously attributed to his death by journalists.
Historical accounts from Sir John Richards (1848) mention the last known fatalities from Hendysarum Mackenzii.
Krakauer later discovered that Hendysarum Mackenzii seeds were not toxic, countering earlier claims of their involvement in McCandless' demise.

Theories Regarding Cause of Death

Krakauer suggested that Swainsone, a mold growing in his damp supplies, led to McCandless' starvation as it required glucose reserves to detoxify.
The transition to autumn became noticeable at the end of July as nights lengthened by seven minutes.
McCandless’ survival reached 100 days on August 5th, coinciding with his most vulnerable state.
His journal entries dwindled as his strength decreased, reflecting his deteriorating condition.

Shelter and Survival Choices

McCandless had access to cabins that might have saved him, but they were vandalized by July.
The National Park Service did not view him as a suspect in the vandalism and instead noted his encroachment into nature.
On August 12th, McCandless attempted foraging and left a note for future visitors.

Final Reflections and Observations

McCandless refrained from starting a fire because of ineffective smoke signals and personal beliefs.
The final phase of starvation is often marked by euphoria, a psychological state McCandless may have experienced.
He expressed satisfaction with his life in a note accompanying a photo, stating: "I have had a happy life."
Krakauer estimated that McCandless survived for a total of 112 days in the wild.
To honor McCandless's memory, Krakauer employed scientific and factual analysis, countering inappropriate literary narratives surrounding his death.
Krakauer depicted McCandless’ demise through short, simple declarative sentences to emphasize the gravity of his struggle.

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Test your knowledge of Chapter 18 from 'Into the Wild' with these flashcards. Each card covers key events and details from McCandless's journey. Perfect for reviewing important aspects of the chapter and enhancing your understanding of the text.