To Build a Fire Group

Question:


fblanca14
Student
High School - 9th Grade

Can you Summarize the main idea of the first paragraph in "To Build a Fire"?

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Posted by fblanca14 on Tuesday April 7, 2009 at 9:51 AM and tagged with first paragraphy, summary, to build a fire.

Answers:

  1. herappleness
    herappleness Teacher
    Graduate School

    eNotes Editor

    In that first paragraph we are given the setting of the story (Yukon, 9 o'clock and we only know its daytime b/c it says that it was a "clear day" but with "no sun, or hint or sun"). We also get the atmosphere (dark, no sun, 50 degrees below zero, and getting colder). And there is also foreshadowing: The day felt gloomy, no sun for a few days, and the man was already panting as he was walking to meet his cronies over at the campsite. When he looked at his watch, I feel, it was also foreshadowing and metaphor that "his clock is ticking" as well.

    Hope this helps!

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/build-fire

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    Posted by herappleness on Tuesday April 7, 2009 at 12:50 PM