In the chapters 8-10, Krakauer focuses on other outsiders that have lived the same life that Chris McCandless lived.  The purpose was to show that Chris was similar to these people in many ways, but different none-the-less.  People critisized Chris as being just one of those dumb people that think they can handle the wild.  Some go on to say it was disrespectful of Chris and that they have no sympathy for him.
  A person's name should "fit" the person living it.  Like the example of Mrs. Mickel's friend Cat and even Chris, they didn't feel their real name fit their personality.  A name should say a lot about a person.