Into Thin Air contains symbolism when viewed through an archetypal literary theory perspective.
Everest Base Camp
Archetypal Characters.
The Child: I believe the Author and narrator Jon Krakauer represents the innocent child character. He has the least experience in his team at high altitudes and is constantly learning to acclimatize on Mount Everest.
The Mentor/ Wise Old Man: The Sherpa are a clear representation of this Archetypal Character. The Sherpa have the most experience on Mount Everest and their bodies have adapted to the high-altitude mountains. Jon Krakauer makes it clear many times that the guidance of the Sherpa is necessary to a successful mission to the summit, ” I want you all to remember we would have absolutely no chance of getting to the summit of Everest without their help” (Krakauer, 53).
The Trickster or Fox: I am convinced that Mount Everest fits this category. Although Mount Everest is not an actual living character, the mountain seems to be the only factor causing problems for the climbers. Death caused by Everest becomes a regular occasion throughout the climb. After Chen Nu-Yan a member of the Taiwanese team slipped and fell only 70 feet his recovery was miraculous. Later that day he became unconscious and died, when the Taiwanese leader was informed he says, “OK” and tells everyone that they will keep progressing. (Krakauer, 155-156). No remorse or sympathy was shown by the Taiwanese leader over the death of one of his members caused by the mountains. Another incident involved Andy Harris who has one of the most likeable guides on the mountains. A television size boulder flew off a cliff directly into Andy’s chest knocking him off the mountain. If he wasn’t connected to the ropes he would’ve fell to his death (Krakauer, 150). This shows the unpredictability of Everest, always making obstacles for the climbers who strive to conquer the highest point in the world. Not to forget the toll thin air and high altitude takes on the body. Throughout the climb many were affected with the following, high altitude pulmonary edema, high altitude cerebral edema, disorientation, blindness, weight loss etc.
Archetypal Figures
The mountain is the main archetypal figure in this novel. The mountain represents overcoming something in your life. Jon hasn’t mentioned any problems or issues he has, which will maybe be mentioned later. I believe Jon uses reaching the summit as a new beginning to overcome previous situations. As for the Sherpa, the mountain is seen as a something to be worshipped for good luck on climbs. The Sherpa pray to Sagarmatha, the goddess of the sky, when one of their men died. They performed rituals, lit juniper and set flags on the mountain. “Mount Everest is a God– for me, for everybody”(Krakauer,129) said Lopsang, who was a well-known Sherpa. This shows how the Sherpa used the mountain as a religious figure.
The Journey
The protagonist somewhat follows the fundamental archetype plot journey. The protagonist never really moves from innocence to experience. Jon already has experience mountain climbing, but never one as high altitude as Everest. Jon begins the novel on top of Everest which, then tells the story back in time leading to the climb. The summit of Everest was an unfamiliar environment for Jon. Jon is invited to climb Everest through his job as a reporter and is faced with multiple challenges while ascending. He literally, “Descents into Danger” after reaching the summit, things start to go downhill both realistically and figuratively speaking. Jon battles the snow, wind, lack of oxygen and sickness which are developed in the conditions on Everest. Everything that Jon has gone through already leads me to believe there will be more death in the novel, but Jon will make it off Mount Everest alive.
Sources:
Krakauer, Jon. Into Thin Air. Anchor Books, 1999.
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