Theme: Guilt Flashcards
What is one of the key themes of Into Thin Air?
Guilt
Guilt is explored through the experiences of Jon Krakauer and his teammates during the Mount Everest disaster.
What event does Jon Krakauer experience on May 10, 1996?
He climbs to the summit of Mount Everest and then falls asleep in his tent
This occurs while many of his teammates are caught in a deadly snowstorm.
Who is Yasuko Namba?
A Japanese woman and teammate who freezes to death near Krakauer’s tent
She was within 500 feet of Krakauer but unable to reach safety.
What psychological affliction does Krakauer suffer after the disaster?
Survivor’s guilt
Survivor’s guilt involves feelings of shame and responsibility for surviving when others did not.
What does Krakauer admit to feeling guilty about?
He partly blames himself for the deaths of Yasuko Namba and other teammates
He struggles with feelings of self-hatred for returning to his tent instead of searching for them.
How does Krakauer characterize his sense of guilt?
Largely irrational
He acknowledges there was no reason for him to search for Namba at the time.
What does Neal Beidleman experience similar to Krakauer?
Survivor’s guilt
He blames himself for not saving Yasuko Namba despite having saved five other lives.
What criticism does Krakauer make regarding Anatoli Boukreev?
He accuses Boukreev of climbing ahead instead of helping his clients
Krakauer suggests this behavior may have contributed to the deaths of several clients.
What is the debate surrounding Boukreev’s actions?
Some argue Krakauer is right to criticize him, while others praise Boukreev for saving lives later
Boukreev’s decision to rest may have allowed him to assist others effectively.
What psychological mechanism might Krakauer’s criticism of Boukreev represent?
A defense mechanism to transfer his guilt and self-hatred
Boukreev’s character parallels Krakauer’s, suggesting a projection of guilt.
How has Krakauer attempted to cope with his guilt since the events of 1996?
By talking to therapists and learning from mistakes
He has also communicated with other climbers to process his experiences.
