Themes: Humans Versus Nature
As an example of the naturalist literary movement, London’s “To Build a Fire” presents a power struggle between humans and nature. The supreme struggle of the story is that of survival in extreme conditions. The dog’s instincts tell it that “it was the time to lie snug in a hole in the snow,” but the man does not believe the cold to be a serious danger. The temperature only strikes him as something cold to endure, not a danger in itself: “Such fact impressed him as being cold and uncomfortable, and that was all.” His knowledge of the temperature and terrain does not help him against the harsh winter, because he believes himself impervious. At the beginning of the story, the narrator comments that “he was quick and alert in the things of life, but only in the things, and not in the significances.” There is an intellectual dissonance in the man’s ability to apply his knowledge to practical survival. He does not see the extremely low temperature as a problem; he merely understands that “it certainly was cold.” The man cannot discern the danger in the natural environment, and that lack of discernment proves to be his undoing.
This theme also highlights the dichotomy between instinct and intellect, as represented by the dog and the man, respectively. The dog’s instincts serve its survival. Even if it does not know what temperatures are, the dog has an innate understanding that if it remains cold, it will die. On the other hand, the man understands the concept of temperature but does not acknowledge its consequences: “It did not lead him to meditate upon his frailty as a creature of temperature, and upon men’s frailty in general, able only to live within certain narrow limits of heat and cold.” At the end of the story, it is the dog who remains alive, leaving the man’s body behind in the snow. However tragic the man’s death, nature is indifferent to it. Ultimately, London portrays the immense power of nature over humans and the arrogance of those who think otherwise.
Expert Q&A
What does the relationship between the man and the dog reveal in Jack London's "To Build a Fire"? What signs from the dog does the man ignore leading to his mistake?
In "To Build a Fire," the relationship between man and dog reveals the dog's superior ability to survive the extreme conditions of the Yukon, as it retains an animal instinct that the man cannot replicate. This is reflected in the contrast London paints between the two. This contrast is perhaps most fully expressed in the story's ending, with the man dying and the dog continuing alone.
What does the dog's final movement towards civilization in "To Build A Fire" suggest about its relationship with nature and instinct?
The dog's final movement towards civilization in "To Build a Fire" highlights its reliance on instinct and survival. As the man dies, the dog, guided by its innate drive, seeks warmth and sustenance from other humans. This departure underscores the dog's pragmatic relationship with nature, prioritizing survival over emotional attachment. The dog's actions demonstrate a keen awareness of natural laws, contrasting with the man's failure to heed survival instincts in the harsh Yukon environment.
What mistakes in judgment does the man make in "To Build a Fire"?
In "To Build a Fire," the man's key mistakes include ignoring the Old Timer's advice, venturing out alone, and failing to plan properly (e.g., insufficient matches and extra socks). He also lacks imagination, underestimates the cold, and makes poor decisions such as building a fire under snowy branches, which ultimately leads to his death.
How does the man's relationship with the dog symbolize his relationship to his environment?
The man's relationship with the dog symbolizes his relationship to the environment by highlighting his ignorance and the dog's instinctual understanding of nature. Despite the dog's awareness of the dangers and natural instincts to seek warmth, it follows the man's lead, reflecting a dynamic where the man disregards environmental cues. The dog's submission and instinctual behaviors contrast with the man's lack of awareness, symbolizing his disconnection from the natural world.
In "To Build a Fire," why must the man build a fire before eating lunch?
The man must build a fire before eating lunch to warm his hands after removing his gloves in the extreme cold, which is colder than 50 below zero. Without the fire, his hands would freeze. This necessity underscores his vulnerability to nature and contrasts with the dog's natural instincts for survival, highlighting the man's overconfidence in his ability to control the harsh environment.
How does the man's lack of imagination mislead him in To Build a Fire?
In "To Build a Fire," what traps does the man try to avoid and what are the outcomes?
In "To Build a Fire," the man tries to avoid patches of thin ice over the frozen Henderson Creek, which are described as traps. He initially avoids these dangers by sending his dog ahead to test the path. However, he eventually steps into one of these traps, getting his foot wet. This misstep leads to a desperate attempt to build a fire for warmth. Ultimately, his efforts fail, and he succumbs to the cold, as he is alone without help.
In Jack London's "To Build a Fire," what evidence suggests the dog instinctively knows the journey's folly?
The dog in Jack London's "To Build a Fire" instinctively senses the danger of the journey through several actions. It slinks behind the man, showing reluctance, and experiences a vague apprehension. The dog prefers staying by the fire or burrowing in the snow, refuses to lead on thin ice, and evades the man when he attempts to kill it. Ultimately, the dog waits for the man to die and heads to safety, showcasing its instinctual understanding of the perilous cold.
How does London illustrate the difference between instinct and knowledge in "To Build a Fire"?
Comparisons between the man and the dog in "To Build a Fire" ultimately reveal that because the dog is adapted to its environment and possesses an instinct to survive, it is able to endure the journey. Because the man is inexperienced and not adapted to live in the Yukon, he is not able to endure the journey. And because the dog and the man are not bonded, the dog leaves him behind to seek warmth, shelter, and food.
In "To Build a Fire," what prevents the man from building his fire at the end?
The man in "To Build a Fire" is unable to build a fire at the end due to severe frostbite that impairs his ability to handle matches and fuel. Initially, a clump of snow extinguishes his first fire. As the cold intensifies, he struggles to light matches, ultimately dropping them in the snow. His failure to prepare adequately, combined with the worsening frostbite, prevents him from successfully building a fire, leading to his demise.
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