Into the Wild Lesson Plan

What do the "Road Warrior" races reveal about Chris' character?

McCandless' Road Warrior races were punishing runs he designed for his running teams. McCandless led his team-mates on long, fast runs and tried to get them lost, then let them run at a slower pace until they found a familiar road, then raced them at top-speed all the way home. The races show how hard McCandless pushed himself, and how much he expected of others. They also reveal the compassionate side of McCandless' principles. McCandless asked his team-mates to imagine they were running against all the darkness and hatred in the world.

In Chapter 12, we learn that Chris' father, Walt, secretly carried...