What are the themes of to build a fire?

What are the themes of to build a fire?

To Build a Fire ThemesInstinctual Knowledge vs. Scientific Knowledge. Chance and Human Error. The man’s initial mistake of traveling alone in weather that is far too cold for independent hiking does not ensure his fate of freezing to death. Fight for Survival vs. Acceptance of Death. The Power of Imagination. Indifferent Nature.

What happened to the dog in to build a fire?

After building a fire and leaving it to continue his journey, he later attempts to build another. He then tries to kill the dog to gain access to its body heat but fails to do either. He slips into unconsciousness and dies of hypothermia.

What is the setting to build a fire?

This story takes place in Canada, in the Yukon Territory. Thousands of miners, mostly young men, headed to the Yukon when gold was discovered. Most of them failed to get rich, and many died in the harsh conditions.

Why is the story entitled to build a fire?

By Jack London Why does Jack London call this story “To Build a Fire” instead of “Building a Fire” or “The Importance of Fire”? The unfinished aspect of this title can actually convey a sense of yearning for fire that is unfulfilled, much like it is in the man’s final attempt to save himself.

What does the fire symbolize in to build a fire?

Fire Symbol Analysis. Fire means the difference between life and death in a setting as cold and bleak as the one presented in London’s story. The building of a fire thus symbolizes life in the story, but also life through human knowledge, skill, and technology.

Who is the antagonist in to build a fire?

Nature is the antagonist, against whom the man must battle for survival. The man makes valiant efforts but to no avail.

How cold is it in to build a fire?


What is the temperature in to build a fire?

Answer and Explanation: In “To Build a Fire,” the temperature is 75 degrees below zero.

What is the climax in to build a fire?

The climax in this story happens when the man’s fire fails. He has decided to build his fire under a tree to make pulling branches off the tree to burn easy. But his decision has backfired, because all that pulling on the branches dislodges a pile of snow.

Who is the main character in to build a fire?

Character Analysis in To Build a Fire. The Man: Naive and unimaginative, the man is the main character of “To Build a Fire.” Though he is an intelligent person, he is too reliant on his erroneous judgment and fails to adequately imagine the perils he faces in the Yukon.

What happens in the end of to build a fire?

At the end of the story, the man decides that he’s been acting shamefully by trying to make an impossible run for the camp. For the first time in the story, he’s completely given himself to panic, but it’s not long before he regains control and decides to die with dignity.

Why is the man unable to build a third fire?

What is the reason the man cannot build a fire the third time? His hands were too cold. What is the “wild idea” that the man gets to try and warm his hands so that he can build a fire? To kill the dog so he can put his hands in the stomach to keep them warm.

Why does the third fire go out in to build a fire?

A. The snow from the tree branches falls on the fire. The dog gets frightened and kicks snow over the flame. …

What does the man eat for lunch in to build a fire?


What happens during the man’s first attempt to build a fire?


What is the dog’s name in to build a fire?

The Wolf Dog

What mistake does the man make in to build a fire?

What traits or qualities cause him to make these mistakes? He went there in the spring, traveled alone, he built the fire under snow laying tree, over confident, lack of common sense, “DOES NOT NO COLD.” The man’s initial mistakes come because he’s prideful and overconfident. In the end, he lacks experience.

Where is the man trying to go in to build a fire?

Henderson Creek

What is the moral lesson of to build a fire?

The moral lesson in Jack London’s short story “To Build a Fire” is that people should not think they are more powerful than nature. In addition, people should listen to others who have more experience than they do.

What happens to the man’s second fire in to build a fire?

Explanation: In “To Build a Fire” by Jack London, what happens to the man’s second fire is that it goes out when snow from tree branches falls on it. A miner is traveling the Yukon to find gold. He has to meet with other men. This pulling makes some snow fall from the tree and puts out the fire.

You may also like...