essay questions for to build a fire

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• To Build a Fire: Novel Summary
• To Build a Fire: Pages 1-2
• To Build a Fire: Pages 3-4
• To Build a Fire: Pages 5-6
• To Build a Fire: Pages 7-8
• To Build a Fire: Pages 9-10
• To Build a Fire: Pages 11-12
• To Build a Fire: Pages 13-14
• To Build a Fire: Pages 15-16
• To Build a Fire: Pages 17-18
• To Build a Fire: Character Profiles
• To Build a Fire: Metaphor Analysis
• To Build a Fire: Theme Analysis
• To Build a Fire: Top Ten Quotes
• To Build a Fire: Biography: Jack London

To Build a Fire: Essay Q&A

1.  Outline the relevance of the title . The necessity of building a fire is the driving force of the latter stages of this short story because without fire, the man knows that he will freeze once his feet and legs are wet. When the fire he builds is extinguished by snow, and he still needs to get dry, the title becomes an urgent command as he knows he is facing death if he fails to re-build it. The title is repeated in the narrative and this reiterates its importance to the story and to the man’s survival. It also highlights how spare the story is as it focuses on one unnamed man and his dog; fire is instead made central because if one is lit the man will be able to live. The ability to build a fire is often cited as the reason why humans are superior to animals and suggests that humans are capable of mastering nature. In this case, nature overpowers the man and the story is a reminder that the ability to build a fire does not necessarily indicate humankind’s empowerment. 2. Consider the man’s treatment of the dog. The dog is used to being treated harshly by the man and is wary when the man changes his behavior in the hope of getting closer to kill it. It is ironic that the man’s previous cruelty means that the dog does not trust his kindness, and the man is critiqued and condemned for this. It is possible to argue that the dog is treated with more sympathy in the narrative than the man and the man’s cruelty is in keeping with his arrogance. The desire to master the dog by subjecting it to his will has a parallel with his decision to travel alone and both examples demonstrate a wish to subdue nature to his will. The dog, however, is depicted as a symbol of nature and unlike the man it has adapted to its environment. It is more aware of the dangers of travelling in this freezing temperature and the man’s cruelty to it emphasises his false sense of superiority all the more. 3. Examine the implications of the man not taking the old-timer’s advice. The old-timer, who is named as such by the man, has already imparted his greater knowledge of the area and how to travel in it before the story begins. It is of interest that the man does not heed this information because this highlights his arrogance as an outsider, a newcomer and as a younger man. The term ‘old-timer’ may be seen as condescending even if possibly affectionate and suggests that the man is not fully convinced by this help from the older generation. It is poignant and ironic that he only comes to realize the import of the advice once it is too late. 4. Analyse the use of nature and its relationship with humanity. By having the Yukon as a backdrop for this story, an extreme climate is used to demonstrate the potential force of nature and the insignificance of humanity. The freezing winter temperatures of north-west Canada are depicted as a sharp contrast to what the man has previously known and, therefore, remind the readers of how the will of man – and woman – is potentially under threat by the environment. Nature is given the role of the man’s enemy and the dramatic tension arises from the battle he has with the freezing cold. His attempt to survive in these conditions, and his failure to do so, mean that the story is given a final element of poignancy. As he approaches death and at first panics and then decides to sleep, it is possible at last to feel empathy for him. 5. Consider the style of this short story and how it affects the content. The style of this story may be described as spare and driven by the central premise of the man attempting and failing to reach the camp. Its sparseness is exemplified in the use of few characters and those that appear are not given a name. Only a character called Bud is mentioned in passing when the man wishes he had devised a protective mask as Bud had done before. The focus rests mainly on the man, the dog and their surroundings. The effects of the cold are given the majority of the space and this emphasizes how dangerous it is as well as showing the arrogance of the man in presuming he would be able to travel this distance without a human companion. Repetitions are used as a stylistic effect and this allows the attention to remain on the main narrative thread: that the man is in mortal danger from the freezing temperature and only realizes this gradually. His reported lack of imagination is re-enacted in the story to a degree at least, as the narrative is as purposely restricted as the man’s way of thinking. It is only when he accepts the likelihood of his death that his imagination comes to life. Similarly, it is only at this point that the narrative switches to encompass the scene of his death.

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To Build a Fire Essay Topics & Writing Assignments

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the author and the publications of To Build A Fire. Where was Jack London from? How successful was he as an author during his lifetime? What differences exist between the two versions of the story?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the Klondike Gold Rush. When did the gold rush take place? How many people were involved? What environment did these people encounter? How is this period related in the story?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and analyze the setting of To Build A Fire.What are the outstanding elements of the setting? How does the setting play a part in the plot of the narrative? What clues in the text reveal the setting?

Essay Topic 4

Analyze the imagery that the author uses in depicting the setting of To Build A Fire. Consider lines such as: “the spittle crackled…in the air.” How does this imagery develop the...

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Essays on To Build a Fire

“to build a fire” essay, types of "to build a fire" essays:.

• Character Analysis: This type of essay focuses on analyzing the main character in the story and their personality traits, motivations, and actions.
• Literary Analysis: A literary analysis essay explores the literary devices used in the story, such as symbolism, imagery, and foreshadowing.
• Theme Analysis: This type of essay examines the major themes of the story, including the struggle between man and nature, the power of instinct over reason, and the inevitability of death.

Character Analysis Essay

• Choose a character: Start by choosing the character you want to analyze. It can be the protagonist or any other character that interests you.
• Gather evidence: Read the story carefully and take notes on the character's actions, dialogue, and thoughts. This will help you gather evidence to support your analysis.
• Identify traits: Identify the character's personality traits, including their strengths and weaknesses. Consider how these traits affect their behavior and decisions.
• Provide evidence: Use direct quotes and specific examples from the story to support your analysis. This will help you make a strong argument and convince your reader.
• Discuss the impact: Consider the character's impact on the story and the other characters. How do they shape the plot and the other characters' actions?

Literary Analysis Essay

• Start by reading the story carefully and taking notes on the literary elements you observe. Pay attention to the story's setting, characters, themes, and symbols.
• Choose a specific literary element to focus on in your essay. For example, you might choose to analyze how the story's setting contributes to the overall tone and mood of the story.
• Use evidence from the text to support your analysis. Look for specific quotes or examples from the story that illustrate the literary element you are discussing.
• Consider the historical and cultural context in which the story was written. How might the author's experiences and worldview have influenced the story?
• Avoid simply summarizing the story or retelling the plot. Instead, focus on analyzing how the literary elements work together to create meaning.

Theme Analysis Essay

• Read the story several times: Before starting to write, it is crucial to understand the plot and the elements that contribute to the theme. Take notes on the characters, setting, and events that contribute to the theme.
• Identify the theme: Analyze the story's plot and characters to determine the central message or theme. The theme may be implicit, so look for patterns and repeated ideas in the story.
• Develop a thesis statement: Craft a clear and concise thesis statement that summarizes the main idea of the essay and the argument you will be making.
• Use evidence from the story: To support your argument, use direct quotes and examples from the story. Analyze how these examples contribute to the development of the theme.
• Provide context: Discuss the historical and cultural context of the story to provide a deeper understanding of the theme and how it relates to the time period in which the story was written.
• Edit and revise: Once the essay is written, take the time to edit and revise for clarity, coherence, and organization. Ensure that each paragraph supports the thesis statement and that the essay flows logically.

Tips for Choosing a "To Build a Fire" Essay Topic:

• Look for a unique angle: Instead of writing about a common topic, try to find a unique angle to explore. For example, you could focus on how the story portrays the relationship between humans and animals.
• Use quotes: Incorporating quotes from the story can help support your argument and add depth to your analysis.
• Consider the historical context: Jack London wrote "To Build a Fire" during the Klondike Gold Rush, and the story reflects the harsh conditions faced by prospectors during this time. Consider how the historical context influences the story's themes and message.

Prompt Examples for "To Build a Fire" Essays

The theme of survival.

Discuss the theme of survival in "To Build a Fire." Analyze the protagonist's struggle for survival in the harsh Yukon wilderness. What obstacles does he face, and how does he attempt to overcome them? Explore the significance of nature as an antagonist in the story.

The Power of Instinct vs. Intellect

Examine the conflict between instinct and intellect in the story. Discuss the protagonist's reliance on reason and his dog's reliance on instinct. How do these contrasting approaches to survival affect the outcome of the narrative?

Nature as a Character

Explore the role of nature as a character in "To Build a Fire." Analyze how nature is personified and how it interacts with the protagonist throughout the story. Discuss the story's portrayal of the Yukon environment and its impact on the characters.

The Use of Foreshadowing

Analyze the author's use of foreshadowing in the narrative. Discuss how the story hints at the protagonist's fate through foreshadowing. Explore the effectiveness of this literary device in building tension and suspense.

The Significance of the Man's Hubris

Discuss the protagonist's overconfidence and hubris as significant elements in the story. How does his belief in his own abilities contribute to his downfall? Analyze the consequences of his arrogance in the face of nature's power.

The Symbolism of Fire

Examine the symbolism of fire in "To Build a Fire." Discuss how fire represents warmth, life, and survival in the wilderness. Analyze the protagonist's relationship with fire and how it evolves throughout the story.

The Role of the Dog

Explore the role of the dog in the story. Discuss how the dog serves as a contrast to the protagonist and as a symbol of instinctual wisdom. Analyze the dog's actions and reactions throughout the narrative.

The Man vs. Nature Trope

Discuss the recurring "man vs. nature" trope in literature and how it is exemplified in "To Build a Fire." Analyze how this theme has been explored in other literary works and how Jack London's story contributes to this theme.

The Narrative's Setting

Examine the significance of the story's setting in the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush. Discuss how the historical and geographical context adds depth to the narrative. Analyze how the setting influences the characters and their actions.

The Impact of Isolation

Analyze the theme of isolation in "To Build a Fire." Discuss how the protagonist's isolation in the wilderness contributes to his perilous situation. Explore the psychological and emotional effects of isolation on the character.

Naturalism in Jack London's "To Build a Fire"

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The Theme of Existentialism in to Build a Fire by Jack London

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Fighting Nature: Animalistic Instinct in Jack London’s "To Build a Fire"

Chain smoking: causal links in to build a fire, comparing london's "to build a fire" and crane's "the open boat", similar themes in to build a fire and the open boat, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

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Nature and Humans in The Short Stories of Jack London and Henry David Thoreau

To build a fire by jack london, jack london's short story to build a fire.

Jack London

Adventure, short story

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To Build a Fire Jack London

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To Build a Fire Essays

Chain-smoking: causality in "to build a fire" theoderek wayne, to build a fire.

The modern fireplace is a marvel of invisible technology, a contained conflagration sparked by the flip of a switch and without human error or intervention. Only recently, and in the comforts of home, has building a fire been so simple. As the...

Realism: Compare and Contrast Amit Momaya

In each of the two short stories, "To Build a Fire," by Jack London, and "A Mystery of Heroism," by Stephen Crane, the author portrays life's realism through the thoughts, actions, and descriptions of a central character. Both characters undergo...

Literary Naturalism: A Comparison of Maggie: A Girl of the Streets and To Build A Fire Anonymous College

For centuries, philosophers have debated just how much truth can be found in the concept of free will. As humans, we tend to favor a viewpoint that grants us more control, that is, that we are capable of determining our future with our actions....

Our America: The Abiding Question of Nation and National Identity in American Literature Anonymous College

American character is heavily based upon the persona of the adventurer, someone who fearlessly explores the wilderness, the unknown. Theodore Roosevelt says in his 1899 speech, “The Strenuous Life”, that, “The men who founded these communities...

A War Against Nature: Instinct in "To Build a Fire" Caroline Elizabeth Kaseburg 12th Grade

“But man is a part of nature, and his war against nature is inevitably a war against himself.” This quote by Rachael Carson evokes the internal struggle of man in his yearning to survive against the incessant onslaught of nature. “To Build a Fire”...

Comparisons in the Representation of the Modern Man in “The Hollow Men” and “To Build a Fire” Anonymous College

Writers and poets customarily portray the traits of the modern man in their contemporary setting akin to the altering literary and social values. In T.S Eliot’s poem, The Hollow Men, the titular men are confined in a purgatory of two counterpart...

“To Build a Fire” a Story by Jack London Essay

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Introduction

Action and reaction, failure to recognize limitations, apparent foreshadowing, instinct versus assumptions, works cited.

“To Build A Fire” (August 1908), written by Jack London, details the story of a man who foolishly underestimated the environment that he found himself in which resulted in his death. The short story describes the actions the actions the man took to meet up with his associates and how they contributed to his misfortune.

Throughout the events in the story, the man remembers various flashbacks of advice given to him by a man from Sulphur Creek, which revealed the foolishness of his actions. Not checking the temperature, not having someone else come along with him as well as not being observant of his surroundings are the main contributing factors that lead to his demise. After reading the story, the central idea that can be drawn from it is that assumptions can kill.

The first situation that supports the idea that assumptions can kill can be seen in the commentary of the main character in the story when it comes to the surrounding temperature. He continuously made allusions to his supposed capacity to handle the weather, thought that the temperature was not as cold as it was, and believed that he could make it to this destination before the temperature got lower. The problem with this scenario is that his survival hinged on him being right when in reality he was wrong about the temperature, his ability to survive and being able to make it to his destination without any problems. This is a clear case of action and reaction wherein his actions of assuming without verification lead to a life threatening situation that could have been avoided (Hillier 175).

Another of the details that support the postulation that the main idea of the story is that assumptions can kill is the inability of the main character to recognize his limitations. It was mentioned in the story that this was the first year that the main character had spent in the snowy wilderness. He was used to a bright sun, warm summers and long days. Not cold nights that could last days and an environment that is more hostile than inviting.

As such, it can be stated that assuming that an individual’s capacity to be alright in one environment would translate into being in another is an incredibly foolish belief (Feast 2). A winter environment brings with it dangers that require years of experience to handle appropriately and yet the main character believed that he could do so through his inherent “toughness.” The result of his way of thinking was his death in a snowy landscape with only the dog as his witness.

Further support of the assumed main idea of the story can be seen in the creative foreshadowing that the author utilized. For example, sulfur matches were considered as a much-needed method of starting a fire and are thus considered essential for survival. Their use can be correlated to the advice from the man from Sulphur Creek, who was mentioned several times throughout the story as a source of valuable information that could have saved the main character.

The scene where the main character dropped several sulfur matches and was unable to properly start a fire can be considered as the author connecting the fact that despite being given a lot of advice, the main character still did not heed them. The sulfur matches thus act as a symbol of the advice that the man was initially given which enabled him to survive at the start, but since he did not follow most of it, he wound up freezing to death later on (Kreidler 1). This method of foreshadowing supports the hypothesis of this story since it shows that the assumptions of the man when it came to not following the advice given to him lead to his death.

Another support idea for the assumed main idea of the short story can be seen in the perspective of the dog in the story and how it clashes with the actions of the man. In the story, we can clearly see that the instincts of the dog are telling it that it is not a good idea to continue on the journey; however, the main character pushes on. This particular interaction between the two can be considered as symbolic of assumptions versus instincts since the man clearly showed in numerous instances that he refused to believe in his instincts and carried on due to his belief.

Based on everything that has been presented so far in this paper, it can be concluded that the main idea of the story is that assumptions can kill. What readers can gain from the reading is that people often overestimate what they are capable of doing or underestimate the full ramifications of their actions, especially when it comes to the outcome of situations that hinge on unsubstantiated assumptions. All in all, reading “To Build A Fire.” is a great way of introducing readers to the concept of how decisions can have a very real impact on outcomes.

Feast, James. “To Build A Fire.” Magill’S Survey Of American Literature, Revised Edition (2006): 1-2. Print.

Hillier, Russell M. “Crystal Beards And Dantean Influence In Jack London’s “To Build A Fire (II)”.” Anq 23.3 (2010): 172-178. Print.

Kreidler, Michele L. “Jack London’s “To Build A Fire.” Literary Contexts In Short Stories: Jack London’s ‘To Build A Fire’ (2009): 1. Print.

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To Build a Fire

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Summary: “to build a fire”.

“To Build a Fire” is a short story by American writer Jack London. It was published in Century Magazine in 1908, and this guide references the 1908 edition. An earlier version of the story was published in Youth’s Companion in 1902. It is one of London’s many adventure stories based in the Klondike, where he prospected as a young man. There are six film versions of the story.

The story is set during the 1890s gold rush in the Klondike region of the Yukon. At daybreak, an unnamed man turns off the main Yukon trail to follow a seldom-used trail through spruce timberland. It is winter and the sky is clear, but there is no sun. In a few days, the sun will again appear above the horizon.

He looks back at the path of the Yukon river, which is covered with several feet of ice and snow. In the distance, he sees the “dark hair-line” (1) that is the main trail. The man is unmoved by the landscape. As a “newcomer in the land” (2), his unaffectedness is not attributable to experience. Rather, he is not imaginative. He is “quick and alert in the things of life, but only in the things, and not in the significances” (2). It is far below freezing, but this doesn’t compel him to consider his own human frailty.

Carrying onward, the man spits, and it freezes before hitting the ground. He’s on his way to a prospector camp, “where a fire would be going, and a hot supper would be ready” (2). He has his lunch tucked against his skin and smiles when he thinks about taking a break to eat it. His lunch is the only thing he carries.

A large husky follows behind the man. The dog’s instinct tells it that it is too cold to be traveling. It is 75 degrees below zero. The dog expects the man to find shelter and start a fire. The dog’s fur and the man’s beard are both frosted. The man chews tobacco. When he spits, the juice remains on his chin and turns his beard amber. He checks his watch and calculates that his pace is four miles per hour. At 12:30 pm he should arrive at the forks, where he plans to eat lunch.

There are no tracks on the trail. It has been a month since anyone has followed this path. The man acknowledges that he has never felt such intense cold. He uses his mittened hand to rub his exposed nose and cheeks, but they again go numb as soon as he stops rubbing. He doesn’t consider frosted cheeks to be a serious health concern.

The man notes the subtle changes in the snow-covered creek’s formation and is careful where to place his feet as he walks. He knows there are springs that bubble up and could cause him to step through the ice and into water. This is a great danger and compels him to walk carefully.

Two hours pass and he continues to look for signs of under-ice pools. At one point, he senses this danger and tries to coax the dog into walking in front of him. The dog won’t do it, so the man pushes it forward. The ice breaks, and the dog’s legs get wet. The dog’s instinct compels it to lick away the ice. The man helps to remove the ice from the dog’s fur.

It is noon and there is still no sun; the day is as bright as it will be. The man arrives at the forks and is pleased with his pace. He is confident he will make it to camp by six o’clock that evening. He pulls out his lunch, exposing his fingers, which quickly become numb. He tries to eat his biscuit, but his “ice-muzzle” (6) prevents him from biting into it. Because he has stopped moving, his toes go numb inside his moccasins. He stamps his feet and waves his arms until feeling returns. He remembers an old man who warned him about how cold it could get in this country. Though he laughed at the man, he now realizes the truth of his words. He builds a fire and thaws his face over it. The dog enjoys the fire while the man eats his biscuit.

The man continues down the trail, much to the disappointment of the dog, who wants to remain near the fire. The man’s ancestry doesn’t instill in him a true understanding of the cold; however, the dog’s lineage does provide this understanding. The dog is essentially the man’s slave and does not care about the man’s welfare. The man makes whipping sounds, compelling the dog to follow him away from the fire.

The man’s foot breaks through the ice, and he becomes wet halfway to the knees. He is angered because this will delay his arrival in camp by an hour. He climbs up an embankment and starts a fire. Because his feet are wet, he is in serious danger; therefore, he “work[s] slowly and carefully” (8) at the fire’s construction. Failure to construct an adequate fire could lead to his death. 

He has to take off his mittens to build the fire. Because he is no longer walking briskly, his blood circulation weakens, and his extremities quickly go numb. His wet feet are beginning to freeze, and his nose and cheeks are already frozen.

The fire is now burning, making the man feel safe. He recalls the old man’s advice that no one should travel alone across the Klondike when the temperature is colder than 50 below zero. He feels proud that, despite this advice, he has saved himself and is successfully making the transit by himself. His fingers are “lifeless” (10), and he struggles to hold a twig. He starts to remove his ice-covered moccasins, but from above the over-weighted tree boughs dump snow on the fire, snuffing it out. He realizes that removing twigs from the lower branches had caused the avalanche of snow to fall.

The man feels “as though he ha[s] just heard his own sentence of death” (10). He now understands that he should have followed the old man’s advice about not traveling alone across the Klondike. Though he figures he will lose some toes, he knows he must try to rebuild the fire. He’s losing dexterity in his fingers but manages to lift twigs and bits of moss. The dog watches, hoping for fire.

The man tries to pull a piece of birch bark from his pocket but cannot grip it. He uses his teeth to pull on his mittens and uses all his power to beat his hands against his sides. He feels envy when he sees the dog sitting in the snow, “its wolf-brush of a tail covered warmly over its forefeet” (11).

Sensation begins to return to the man’s fingers. He removes his hand from its mitten to grab the birch bark. He tries to light the bark, but his fingers are again numb, and he drops the matches into the snow. He “devot[es] his whole soul to the matches” (12). Because he no longer has a sense of touch, he tries to fully rely on his vision to retrieve the matches. He again puts on the mitten and scoops the matches into his lap.

The man manages to get a match to his mouth, which he finally manages to light by scraping it against his leg. However, the smoke goes into his nose, causing him to cough and drop the match, which falls to the snow and goes out. He again acknowledges that he should’ve listened to the old man’s advice about traveling with a partner.

In a desperate move, he removes his mittens and manages to get all his remaining matches into his hands. He scratches the matches against his leg and all 70 are ignited at the same time. Though he can’t feel his flesh burning, he can smell it. Deep below his skin, he starts to feel the pain. Still, he holds onto the matches and attempts to light the bark. His endurance fails and he drops the matches, which sizzle in the snow. However, the bark has been lit. He places twigs and dry grasses on the bark. A piece of moss falls directly into the flame. With shivering hands, he tries to poke it away, but he causes the fire to break apart and go out.

He looks at the dog, which “put[s] a wild idea into his head” (13). Recalling a survival story in which a man survived a blizzard by crawling into a steer’s carcass, he decides he will kill the dog and bury his hands inside its body for warmth. He calls the dog to him, but the dog senses the danger and does not obey the command. The man crawls toward the dog, and it moves away from him.

The man uses his mouth to put on his mittens and stands up. His standing position, as well as “the sound of whip-lashes in his voice” (14), compel the dog to come to him. The man reaches for the dog, but he has no feeling in his hands and cannot grab it. He uses his arms to hold the dog against him, and it struggles to get away. The man realizes that he has no means of killing the dog. Because he has no feeling in his hands, he cannot use his knife. He releases the dog, and it moves 40 feet away, where it watches him.

In an attempt to regain feeling, he again beats his hands against the side of his body. This doesn’t work and a fear of death becomes increasingly present. He becomes panicked and starts running along the trail. The dog follows him. He runs “blindly, without intention, in fear such as he had never known in his life” (15). He is no longer shivering and thinks about running all the way to camp. He also thinks that he will soon freeze to death. He clings to the hope that he will reach the boys and they will save him. In the back of his mind, the thought remains that “he would soon be stiff and dead” (15).

As he runs, it’s strange to him that he cannot feel his feet. He realizes he doesn’t have the endurance and starts stumbling. He sits down to rest and regain his energy. Surprisingly, he is no longer shivering. This briefly comforts him, but he then understands it is because he is becoming completely frozen. He imagines his frozen dead body and again starts running. The dog continues to follow him. The man falls and the dog looks at him, “curiously eager and intent” (16). The dog’s apparent well-being angers the man and he curses it.

The cold begins to fully consume him. He goes another 100 feet and falls, feeling “his last panic” (16). Resigning himself to death, he considers how to best die with dignity. He hopes to sleep his way into death, noting that there are worse ways to die than freezing. He imagines the boys finding his body, and then imagines himself alongside the boys when they make this discovery. In another vision, he tells the old man that he was right. He “drowse[s] off into what seemed to him the most comfortable and satisfying sleep he had ever known” (17). The dog waits for him until it realizes that no fire will be made. It catches the scent of death, howls under the stars, and makes its way toward camp, hoping to find others who will provide it with food and fire.

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