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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Themes: The Limits of Individualism

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The story’s protagonist repeatedly asserts his ability to travel alone and believes himself capable of surviving the extreme wintry conditions. His refusal to travel with a companion, despite the warnings of the old man at Sulphur Creek, plays a crucial part in his inevitable demise. Nature is unforgiving of his mistakes, and he has no one to help him: “If he had only had a trail-mate he would have been in no danger now. The trail-mate could have built the fire.” The man does not realise the importance of accepting help from others and believes that his individual capabilities will ensure his survival. The man’s sense of his own abilities is so inflated that he is consistently surprised when his fingers and toes are numb, and he often remarks on the fact that it is cold.

One of the only pieces of background information readers are given about the unnamed man is that he is American and unfamiliar with the Yukon territory. American culture is known for its emphasis on individual freedoms and liberties, and London’s story is an extreme example of the dangers these values might lead to. The man chooses to travel alone and therefore brings about his demise. Aside from refusing to take a companion, the man displays individualism by ignoring the old man’s wisdom, turning his back on experience and advice. In doing so, London presents individualism as something which is capable of causing great damage. Unlike the dog, with its ancestral instinct survival, the man chooses to rely only on himself and is therefore a fool. The story emphasizes the importance of accepting help and working with others. Humans are presented as at the mercy of nature, and so London highlights why individualism is so dangerous and foolish, especially in extreme environmental conditions such as those of the Yukon.

Expert Q&A

The motivations and decisions behind the man's journey and choice of route in "To Build a Fire"

The man in "To Build a Fire" embarks on his journey to meet his companions at an old camp on Henderson Creek, motivated by work and adventure. Despite warnings from more experienced men, he underestimates the severe cold and overestimates his ability to handle it, driven by his lack of imagination and understanding of nature's dangers. This ultimately leads to his demise.

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