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Literary Analysis: To Build a Fire

The document provides a summary and analysis of Jack London's short story "To Build a Fire". It outlines the plot which follows a man traveling through the Yukon with his dog during frigid temperatures. Despite his dog's warnings, the man's ego and lack of survival instincts lead to failed attempts at starting fires. His fingers and feet become frostbitten, causing him to panic and consider killing his dog. Ultimately the man freezes to death while the dog survives due to its primitive instincts. The themes explored are man versus nature and the contrast between man's civilized judgment versus an animal's inherited survival instincts.

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buson
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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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Topics covered

  • Symbolism,
  • Setting,
  • Character Development,
  • Cold Weather Survival,
  • Environmental Challenges,
  • Lessons Learned,
  • Cultural Reflections,
  • Nature's Power,
  • Climax,
  • Survival Instincts
2K views11 pages

Literary Analysis: To Build a Fire

The document provides a summary and analysis of Jack London's short story "To Build a Fire". It outlines the plot which follows a man traveling through the Yukon with his dog during frigid temperatures. Despite his dog's warnings, the man's ego and lack of survival instincts lead to failed attempts at starting fires. His fingers and feet become frostbitten, causing him to panic and consider killing his dog. Ultimately the man freezes to death while the dog survives due to its primitive instincts. The themes explored are man versus nature and the contrast between man's civilized judgment versus an animal's inherited survival instincts.

Uploaded by

buson
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Topics covered

  • Symbolism,
  • Setting,
  • Character Development,
  • Cold Weather Survival,
  • Environmental Challenges,
  • Lessons Learned,
  • Cultural Reflections,
  • Nature's Power,
  • Climax,
  • Survival Instincts
  • Introduction: Presents the title of the work and the author's name, providing context for the presentation.
  • Jack London: Provides a brief biography of Jack London, discussing his significance in literature and key themes in his writing.
  • Plot Analysis: Analyzes the central conflict of 'To Build a Fire', detailing the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
  • Themes: Explores the underlying themes of the story, including primitivism and man versus nature.

To Build a Fire

by Jack London (John Griffith)-(1876-1916)

Benoit Uson
Universit du Qubec Trois-Rivires Short Story (LIA1030)

To Build a Fire
Jack London Plot Analysis
u Central Conflict Exposition Conflict Climax Falling Action Resolution

Themes
Primitiveness Man vs. Nature

Jack London (1876-1916)


Symbolized the power of will Most successful American writer in early 20th century Men and animals vs. environment and survival against hardships Wrote The Call of the Wild & White Fang Concepts of individualism and Darwinism Deceased at age 40 of various diseases

Central Conflict
Central Conflict
A guy and his dog want to make tracks to a mining camp so they can sit beside a warm fire and chow down on bacon and biscuits. There's just one little problem: they've got at least nine hours of hiking ahead of them, and it's minus seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit. (Team, 2011)

Plot Analysis
Exposition (Biscuits, Bacon and the Boys)
Wants to meet up with the boys at Henderson Creek Camp to eat bacon with his biscuits Walks with dog (seems to be only one realizing the nasty Yukon cold!) Man becomes more conscious of cold (sting on cheeks) When he stops to build fire he CHUCKLES when his fingers go numb!! (Team, 2011) Sits there by the fire thinking how great he is Simultaneously, the dog still doubts about idea to travel in -60C. Doesnt want to leave the fire when man leaves Man seems unaware of his surroundings While dog seems to be understanding cold concept!

Plot Analysis
Conflict (Uh-Oh, My Feet are Wet)
Man gets his legs wet in river (curses his luck) Must build a fire to dry boots succeeds Fingers are too cold to feel Next attempt at fire fails Really in it now! Sheer panic kicks in Manages to calm fears and tries again fails Audience feels the mans dread

Plot Analysis
Climax (Here Doggie, Doggie)
Man knows he cant build another fire = desperate Looks at dog and wants to kill dog to warm hands inside the dog! (Yes thats right!) Realizes he cant kill dog with his frozen hands He then takes a run for camp but eventually gives up

Plot Analysis
Falling Action (Old-Timers Revenge)
Man lies down on snow and allows himself to freeze to death drifts off into sleep Seeing himself with the Boys, walking down creek and finding his body Sees himself with the old-timer from Sulfur Creek and admits out loud the old-timer was right After admitting he dies (learning a lesson though!!)

Plot Analysis
Resolution (Mans Best Friend)
After his death, dog waits awhile It is confused to see man without fire lying in the snow The dog howls at the smell of death(Team, 2011) Dog leaves site heading towards camp Food and fire is waiting for it Hes a survivor!

Themes
Primitiveness
Author contrasts mans civilized sense of judgment vs. dogs primitive instincts Man = personal experience Dog = inherited survival Dog wants to remain near the fire while the man wants to make it to the camp Mans judgment fails him Dogs instinct lead him to survival
The dog did not know anything about thermometers. Possibly in its brain there was no sharp consciousness of a condition of very cold such as in the man's brain. But the brute had its instinct. (London, 1908)

Themes
Man vs. Nature
London depicts nature as a brute force indifferent to humanitys existence Nature doesnt care about humanitys happiness or self-actualization or well-being. The dog is also indifferent to the mans survival All it cares about is warming its paws near a fire!
On the other hand, there was no keen intimacy between the dog and the man. The one was the toil slave of the other, and the only caresses it had ever received were the caresses of the whiplash and of harsh and menacing throat sounds that threatened the whiplash. (16) (London, 1908)

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