What is the context of Into the Wild?

Rather broad question, but here
goes:

Krakauer's interest in the story likely grew out of
his own desire to challenge cultural norms, particularly when it came to taking on
challenges of the great outdoors.  He saw McCandless' story as a sort of epic struggle
between the society and Chris' desire to live outside of the regular rules in a
way.

Chris in some ways grew up with such huge advantages,
a nice home, a nice school, admission to a top college like Emory and has all the
opportunities that come along with it.  But he still fought against it, eventually had
to disappear and not be in contact with his family anymore,
etc.

But those two forces are still obviously around and
the story obviously draws a great deal of its power from the conflict between
them.