To Build a Fire Blog

"To Build a Fire" was a very inspiring story. The ending was somewhat sad, but overall it did a really good job at explaining the individualism of the main character. He sets off on a trip to meet his friends in 75 below weather. He does not mind the cold much because he is new to the Yukon and does not really pay much attention, considering this is his first winter. A dog is following him closely on this trail, also inevitable to the cold. They set off on the trail together and slowly things are starting to go downhill. First, the mans spit freezes in mid air, then his beard frosted, then his cheeks iced, and then he became worried of streams that could potentially freeze his body from his waist down. He finally decides to eat the biscuit he had wrapped in a handkerchief for lunch, when he could not because he beard was frozen. So, he takes his knowledge of building a fire.The dog wishes to stay by the fire, but reluctantly follows the man back onto the trail.

Even though the dog follows the man, I do not think he really wanted to. The fact that he did not willingly follow the man makes me think that the man will get stuck in the cold and die. The fire that he built was worth it at the time to defrost himself, but he should not have continued on the trail in the cold. The man is very independent though, which is like the view of Emerson and Thoreau. Thoreau and Emerson believed that self worth and following your own instinct was very important. I think that this story is really powerful because it shows the perseverance of a man and how he believed in himself and wanted to reach his goal. The fire is a symbol in this story. It represents.


http://www.gradesaver.com/to-build-a-fire/study-guide/section1/
http://www.jacklondons.net/buildafire.html