By analyzing a text through different critical lenses, readers will be able to discover information and features about the text, which go beyond what is written by the author. This is evident in Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild, as after examining it with both archetypal and reader response theories, readers will begin to establish a strong understanding of the text. In order to use these critical lenses, however, readers must first familiarize themselves with the literary theories themselves. Archetypal theory uses symbols, characters and themes, common to many different texts, in order to create an intricate and intricate web between them. By exploring a text through this lens, a reader will “recognize narrative patterns and symbolic associations at least from other texts [they] have read, if not innately; [they] know how to form assumptions and expectations from encounters with black hats, spring settings, evil stepmothers, and so on. On the other hand, reader response theory forces readers to use their own thoughts and feelings surrounding the text, to connect to it mentally and emotionally. This theory is particularly unique: “Because individuals have different life experiences, [and therefore] it is almost certain that no two readers or reading sessions will provide the exact same interpretation of a text.” After becoming familiar with these literary theories, readers will begin to notice that, although all types of criticism are useful and allow for a deeper understanding of the text, there are some theories that provide more information about the same text than others. This is evident in Into the Wild, as reader response theory is arguably the most mentally challenging type of criticism. Along the journey of Chris McCandless, the book's protagonist, the author uses numerous techniques to enhance the reader's experience and help him think more deeply about the meaning of the text. For the reason that it includes the emotional connection that readers develop, the critical thinking that needs to happen, and the in-depth understanding that forces the reader to establish, reader response theory certainly proves to be the most insightful when it comes to text. plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay One of the best ways to understand a text is to develop an emotional connection with it, something that is quite easy to do with this book. When learning about Chris' extraordinary life, for example, readers will feel an immediate sense of appreciation and respect for this courageous character as he physically ventures out and seeks to achieve his dreams. In today's society, “So many people live in unhappy circumstances and yet do not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity and conservatism, which may seem to give peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more harmful to the adventurous spirit of a man of a secure future. Before his trip, Chris was no stranger to this way of thinking, but unlike many others who do nothing to help themselves, he takes the initiative and makes his dream of living in the wilderness a reality. Chris goes out and tries; he does his best even though he understands the danger of what he is doing. Once readers realize the courage Chris possesses to even go out and try, they will feel an overwhelming sense of respect and admiration for him as a person, something made possible by analyzing the text through the perspective of reader response. As a result of these niceattributes, readers will find themselves feeling sympathy for Chris when they learn of his tragic death. In the text, when Chris dies, Krakauer includes passages and statements dating people he meets along his path; a technique that forces readers to feel obligated to Chris. Regardless of the person, each passage has a common message; that Chris was a kind, hard-working, pleasant person to be around, and that they were sad to hear the discouraging news. One passage in particular, which encapsulates the general sentiment surrounding Chris's identity, comes from an interview Krakauer had with Mary Westerberg, the mother of Chris's employer, at a grain silo in South Dakota. In this, he says, “it was fun hanging out with him; I didn't want the night to end. I couldn't wait to see it again this fall. I can't get it out of my mind... Considering I've only spent a few hours in [Chris's] company, it amazes me how much I worry about his death." This quote accurately reflects the emotions readers will experience after analyzing this text through lens of reader response Despite the fact that readers have never met Chris, and have only come to know him through a two-hundred-page novel, there is no doubt that they will feel deeply saddened by his passing, all because of the manner. in which others describe him. By reading this novel, people will understand how special Chris truly is; he is someone this world is lucky to have had and unfortunate to have lost , analyzing this text through the perspective of reader response. Not only does this text promote understanding by allowing for a deep emotional connection, but it also challenges readers to think critically, in order to produce solutions to the puzzles in the book. One issue in particular is the controversy surrounding Chris' death. For the most part, people believe that his death was the result of poisoning from consuming a certain plant, which left him weak and unable to take care of himself. The plant that many believe to be the cause of this is the wild potato seed; one of these believers is Krakauer himself. To prove his idea, he decides to send the plant to a laboratory for further analysis. Instead of strengthening his belief, the laboratory test only creates further controversy, as the examination “found no trace of poisonous compounds. “I tore that plant apart,” Dr. Clausen explained to Men's Journal in 2007. “There were no toxins. No alkaloids. I'd eat it myself.'” (205). What was originally supposed to settle the controversy, created an even wider gap in the problem. Instead of giving up, Krakauer does further research and determines another plant that may have been the cause of Chris's death: the wild sweet pea. He discovers that this plant poisons the body, weakening it by killing the nerve receptors, corresponding quite well to what happens with Chris. By adding this into the text, Krakauer forces readers to think about, as well as question, the events of the book and try to develop their own interpretation of the matter, to find a solution. that they believe to be correct. This type of analytical thinking is a unique attribute of reader response theory and is one of the many reasons why this type of criticism provides the greatest understanding for this particular text. Critical thinking is an excellent way to learn more about the text, but where reader response theory really sets itself apart from other theories regarding this novel is through the in-depth understanding that,.