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

Start Free Trial

Student Question

What does the first paragraph of "To Build a Fire" reveal about the man's character?

Quick answer:

The first paragraph reveals the man's disregard for common sense and overconfidence. He chooses a less-traveled path instead of a safer, well-known trail, indicating a desire to prove himself against nature. This decision foreshadows possible danger, as the setting is described with a "pall" of gloom, suggesting death. Despite these ominous signs, the man remains unconcerned, highlighting his lack of awareness and underestimation of the harsh environment.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

From the first paragraph, the reader already notices that the main character does not follow what would be considered common sense.  For instance, in the first line, after London establishes the setting of the story as the Yukon, he notes that the man "turned aside from the main Yukon trail and climbed the high earth-bank, where a dim and little-travelled trail led eastward..."  The man already turns away from conventional wisdom, which would tell him to stay on a more known path in case of emergency, and instead, chooses the lesser-travelled one.  The man seems determined to prove himself against the elements.

There is also an instance of foreshadowing in the first paragraph when London describes the setting: 

There was no sun nor hint of sun, though there was not a cloud in the sky. It was a clear day, and yet there seemed an intangible pall over the face of things, a subtle gloom that made the day dark, and that was due to the absence of sun. This fact did not worry the man. 

The gloom that London describes sets the mood for the reader that this story will not likely end well, and the word "pall" is usually used to describe the look of death.  But here, the man is not concerned.  Again, even in the face of obvious signs of adversity and struggle, he simple seems to shrug his shoulders and move on.  It will not bode well for him in the end.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial