Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

Taking Cheryl’s relationship with her mother, biological father, and Eddie into account, discuss how Cheryl’s family history colors her relationships with men.

Address the interrelation of emotional and physical pain in Cheryl’s memoir.

What role does solitude play in Cheryl’s journey?

Cheryl traverses inhospitable terrain and encounters dangerous wildlife in her months on the PCT. How does she deal with these challenges? What keeps her fears under control?

Discuss the underlying threat of gender-based violence in Cheryl’s memoir.

Discuss Cheryl’s last name. When and why did she choose this name? How does the name reflect her life experiences?

What happens when Cheryl uses her mother’s given name for the first time? How does this relate to her journey of self-discovery?

Cheryl devotes large sections of her memoir to describing the terrain, the natural elements, and her pain. What function does repetition serve in her book?