Analysis Of Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air

Book Arrangement Jon Krakauer begins Into Thin Air with a dedication page that displays the names of everyone on Rob Hall’s (the team leader) team who perished during the climb. Following the dedication page, there is an epigraph that suggests the theme of the book: theme here. Krakauer then gives an introduction in which he explains how he compiled the book and how the climb impacted his life. The book also contains several pictures that Scott Fischer (another team leader) took while climbing, allowing the audience to realize the perils of the climb. With the pictures is a map of the ascent and a description of each person who died during the climb. Accompanying each chapter is a Randy Rackliff illustration that previews what will occur in …show more content…
It did eventually become an article but not for its intended reason. It was supposed to be a group of moderate to expert climbers summiting Mount Everest.Which took a fatal turn when poor decisions were made, signs, and suggestion were not taken. Krakauer then questions himself on what he could have done differently and how that would have affected everyone else.
Rhetorical Devices
Exigence/Relevance Krakauer wrote Into Thin Air because he had wanted to publish a magazine article, but it was four times longer than the average piece and still insufficiently covered the story. However, as Krakauer continued to write he allowed the reader to understand how much the climb could affect a person both mentally and physically,making it relevant/irrelevant today.
Audience Krakauer’s primary audience are the families that were affected by the loss of loved ones during the ascent. Krakauer also writes to those desiring to climb Mount Everest, primarily because he is trying to cause the audience to rethink before attempting such a dangerous …show more content…
In the Introduction, he explains that “What happened on the mountain was gnawing my guts out” (Krakauer XII). He felt extreme guilt for being one of the survivors and even blamed himself for the death of Andy Harris. In addition, the purpose was to mourn those who had died, people Krakauer had come to know and like.

Logos Krakauer appeals to logos by the use of specific numbers and explaining that when he was in the troposphere, so little oxygen was reaching his brain that he had the mental capacity of a slow child.Krakauer’s use of a specific altitude helps the reader establish a sense of trust in what Krakauer says. It adds a sense of validity to his writing.
Pathos Krakauer appeals to pathos through his account of the struggle on the mountain and through the tragedies that occur. Through his explanation about how their deaths were gnawing at him, the the reader is able to see how much he was emotionally shaken. Krakauer also explains that it affected everyone else in his company, as well as the families of the climbers who