Foreshadowing Techniques In Into Thin, By Jon Krakauer

While reading this narrative, I felt a strong familiarity with the characters and their extreme dedication to reach a difficult goal despite the difficulties. Earlier in the year, my life was changed entirely when I tore my ACL in a sudden accident. I had no choice but to receive an intrusive and painful surgery that would take over a year to recover. Although the pain and emotions often affected my recovery, I remained dedicated to my one true goal, which was to return to my everyday activities. I refused to give up and I worked countless hours to strengthen and heal myself through physical therapy. Despite the constant pain and thoughts of quitting, I continued to strive towards my one goal without turning back. The book Into Thin

His method of foreshadowing causes the reader to develop a clear idea of the upcoming events and continue reading. Krakauer’s detailed descriptions are followed by a suspenseful cliffhanger that grabs the reader’s attention. For instance, after witnessing the incompetent skills of the other climbers Hall remarks, “I think it’s pretty unlikely that we’ll get through this season without something bad happening up high” (Krakauer 130). The reader is left with a vague suspicion that something horrible will occur during the climb, and continues reading to reveal the answers. Also, Krakauer places short excerpts from various pieces of writing in the beginning of each chapter that relate to the events in the upcoming chapter. Another way that Krakauer uses foreshadowing is in the form of a statement mentioned by a character, and suggests the upcoming events to the reader. After four of the climbers turn back before the summit, Krakauer states, “And yet, faced with a tough decision, they were among the few who made the right choice that day” (234). The use of foreshadowing within the narrative causes the reader to remain intrigued and have the desire to continue

Krakauer devotes several pages of description for each character and describes them in such a way that causes the reader to feel an emotional connection. However, his personal portrayal of each character is included in the descriptions, teaching the reader to either love or despise the individual. The characters that the reader develops a connection with are described in a positive and heroic manner, which causes the reader to experience their emotions throughout the journey. While stranded on the mountain, Rob Hall speaks with his pregnant wife and states, “Sleep well my sweetheart. Please don’t worry too much” (Krakauer 308). Since Krakauer causes the reader to love Rob Hall, they feel a deep sense of emptiness knowing that he will never see his unborn child. On the contrary, Krakauer also describes certain characters in negative way, causing the reader to dislike them. For example, the first piece of information Krakauer shares about another climber is negative, he writes, “Her name was Sandy Hill Pittman, and nobody on the mountain cut a higher profile or generated as much gossip” (150). The negative portrayal of Sandy Hill Pittman causes the reader to dislike her personality and actions. For the most part, Krakauer uses detailed descriptions causing the reader to form either a positive or