illustration fo a man in winter clothes lying on the snow under a tree with a dog standing near him

To Build a Fire

by Jack London

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Student Question

How does the man's outlook change briefly after deciding not to eat his lunch?

Expert Answers

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When the man sits down to eat his lunch, the major thing that strikes him is the astonishing swiftness with which numbness overtakes his fingers. He bangs them against his clothes in order to try and restore the feeling but the sensation is immediately numbed and disappears. He is struck by the simple fact that it is terribly cold out.

He remembers the old man in Sulphur Springs telling him that it was likely too cold to be traveling, particularly to be traveling alone. He also recalls that he had laughed at him and been so sure that he could handle the trek on his own. Just briefly he thinks that he shouldn't have been so sure of himself. 

But then he settles down and builds a fire and regains his confidence rather quickly.

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