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.
How does the man's lack of imagination mislead him in To Build a Fire?
Does the alternate ending of "To Build a Fire," where the man survives and learns never to travel alone, improve or weaken the story?
The alternate ending where the man survives and learns not to travel alone would weaken the story's impact. It contradicts the themes of naturalism, realism, and determinism, which emphasize the insignificance of humans against nature's power. The original ending, where the man dies, effectively communicates the dangers of underestimating nature and underscores the survival of the fittest. A "happy ending" would dilute the story's message and lessen its emotional and thematic impact.
What effect does the personification in this sentence from "To Build a Fire" by Jack London have?
"The cold of space smote the unprotected tip of the planet, and he, being on that unprotected tip, received the full force of the blow."
The personification in the sentence from "To Build a Fire" emphasizes nature's indifference and hostility, common themes in Naturalism. By describing "the cold of space" as smiting the planet, it suggests nature acts with intention and volition, portraying it as a character that is indifferent to human struggle. This heightens the sense of fear and inevitability, illustrating the harsh, unforgiving conditions that seal the man's fate.
Naturalism in Jack London's "To Build a Fire"
Naturalism in Jack London's "To Build a Fire" emphasizes the indifferent and deterministic nature of the environment, highlighting humanity's vulnerability. The story depicts the protagonist's struggle against the harsh Yukon conditions, illustrating naturalism's view that humans are subject to uncontrollable natural forces. The man is portrayed as a nameless, ordinary figure, emphasizing the insignificance of human efforts in the face of a relentless natural world. The narrative focuses on the brutal reality of survival, showcasing nature's indifference to human existence and the futility of man's struggle against it.
The contrasting perspectives, reactions, and roles of the dog and the man in "To Build a Fire"
In "To Build a Fire," the man is overconfident and dismisses the dangers of the harsh environment, relying solely on his knowledge and underestimating nature. In contrast, the dog instinctively understands the peril and shows caution, relying on its natural instincts. The man's arrogance leads to his downfall, while the dog's instincts ensure its survival.
Analysis of the central conflict, climax, and resolution in Jack London's "To Build a Fire."
The central conflict in "To Build a Fire" is man versus nature, where the protagonist struggles against the harsh, unforgiving environment of the Yukon. The climax occurs when he fails to build a fire to save himself from freezing. The resolution follows his acceptance of his fate, leading to his death, highlighting the theme of nature's indifference to human survival.
The purpose and role of the dog in "To Build a Fire" as revealed by London's descriptions
In "To Build a Fire," the dog serves as a foil to the man, showcasing instinctual wisdom versus human arrogance. London's descriptions highlight the dog's natural understanding of the harsh environment, contrasting with the man's flawed overconfidence and lack of survival skills.
The reasons for the failure of the second fire in "To Build a Fire."
The second fire in "To Build a Fire" fails because the protagonist builds it under a spruce tree, causing snow from the branches to fall and extinguish the flames. His lack of foresight and understanding of the harsh environment ultimately leads to the fire's failure and contributes to his demise.
The man's fall and demise in "To Build a Fire."
In Jack London's "To Build a Fire," the man's demise is foreshadowed by his inexperience and arrogance in facing the extreme cold of the Klondike. Ignoring the advice of an experienced old-timer and underestimating the severe weather, he travels alone, making critical mistakes such as getting wet and failing to build a fire. The man's inability to heed the dog's instincts and his own overconfidence ultimately lead to his death from hypothermia, illustrating the dangers of hubris and nature's unforgiving power.
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