Name:______________

Period:__________________
K. Simpson ERWC

Authors Note:
Many readers skip the authors note that begins a book, but this note
by Krakauer is particularly interesting and will guide your reading of his book.
Read the three-page authors note before you begin to read the work.
Answer the following questions thoroughly and in complete sentences.
1. What might have McCandlesss motives have been for his behavior
(Paragraph 3)?
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2. How difficult would it be to invent a new life?
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3. In paragraph 4, Krakauer introduces some themes of the book.
Discuss these.
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4. In paragraph 5, Krakauer warns us that he will not be an impartial
biographer. What does this mean? Are all biographers impartial?
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5. In the last paragraph, Krakauer introduces the complexity of Chris
McCandless. Should we admire McCandless for his courage and noble
ideas? Was he a reckless idiot? Was he crazy? Was he an arrogant and
stupid narcissist?

Name:______________
Period:__________________
K. Simpson ERWC

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Define the following words
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Fiction
Non-fiction
Protagonist
Epigram
Context clues
Authorial intent
Paraphrase
Figurative language
Textual evidence
Close reading
Analysis
Feminism
Connotation
Embedded quote
Synthesis
Thesis
Foreshadowing

Name:______________
Period:__________________
K. Simpson ERWC
Narrator, unreliable narrator
Vignette
Imagery
Parody
Allusion
Hyperbole
Anaphora