Into the Wild & the Catcher in the Rye

Into the Wild & The Catcher in the Rye

Discussion Questions: 45 points for written responses, 35 points for discussion (80 total) Please answer all of the questions below on a SEPARATE piece of paper.

1. How would you describe Chris, both as presented by the film and by those he interacts with throughout his travels? Is he likeable? Irritating? Intelligent? A loner? How did you react? Are you sympathetic to Chris, and if so, when?

2. What drives Chris to go off “into the wild”? How are his views about people and society similar to or different from Holden’s?

3. What do you think of McCandless's decision to discard his identity and past life without a backward look? Would you do the same thing if you were in his place, or do you think it would be important to discuss your decision with your family first, even if you were certain that they would try to dissuade you?

4. Does the freedom of Chris’s desired lifestyle appeal to you? Why or why not?

5. Think about Chris's relationship with his family. What do we learn about his childhood, home life, etc? Does the inclusion of this back story make us more or less sympathetic to him? Are we supposed to sympathize or understand the position of his parents or sister?

6. Think about Holden’s relationship with his family. Are you sympathetic to him? Are Holden’s or Chris’s actions (based on family relationships) more justifiable or understandable?

7. Do you believe that Holden and Chris come to similar conclusions about life?

8. How do Holden and Chris find their identities? Are their journeys similar, or do they take different paths?

9. The public response to McCandless's story has been deeply divided. Is this story an example of tragic foolhardiness or heroic idealism?’

Discussion Date: Mon 5/14. If you do not have complete written responses, you may not participate in the discussion