Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster

Throughout the novel, Jon Krakauer juxtaposes the images of Everest with the ever-present threat of danger on its slopes. How does Krakauer depict Everest? Consider these points as you reflect on the text to answer the question.

• Does Krakauer balance the juxtaposition between beauty and danger, or does one outweigh the other?
• What is his location on the mountain when he reflects on the beauty or wonder Mount Everest inspires?
• What is his location when he reflects on the dangers Mount Everest poses?
• Does the mountain’s inherent danger make it more or less beautiful?

Teaching Suggestion: Before students engage with this prompt, it might be helpful to have students reflect on Krakauer’s tone or descriptions at the beginning of the climb in contrast with his tone or descriptions after the disastrous storm.

Differentiation Suggestion: To aid writers who benefit from ways to accomplish organization and decision-making in their writing, consider using a visual cue to prompt thinking by providing students with images of Everest or an interactive way to experience the mountain, such as online satellite mapping. You may also want to provide an outline template to help organize ideas.