Composition

Beginning

The letter starts with McCandless introducing himself to Ron – “Alex here” (p. 208, l. 1) – and presenting his current situation: “I have been working up here in Carthage, South Dakota for nearly two weeks now. I arrived up here three days after we parted in Grand Junction, Colorado” (p. 208, ll. 1-3). Note that the letter does not start in a traditional way, with “Dear Ron”. Instead, McCandless jumps directly into presenting his points. This hints at the familiarity between the two. It also gives further insight into McCandless' personality.

McCandl...