48 pages • 1 hour read
Michael FinkelThe Stranger in the Woods
Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 2017A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
While Finkel refers to Knight as a “true hermit” in the original article and the subtitle, Finkel chooses to call the book The Stranger in the Woods. What reasons could Finkel have had for using “stranger” over “hermit” in the title? Why is Knight a true hermit?
Explain how Finkel builds trust with Knight in ways that other reporters fail to. Why does Knight continue to talk with Finkel even after he pushes the writer away several times? Consider the motives for the two to continue communication with each other.
What are Knight’s motivations for leaving society, and how do they relate to the psychological explanations of experts? Compare Knight’s mental state before, during, and after his time in the woods.
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