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A Man vs the Cold

In: English and Literature

Submitted By atrapasso
Words 278
Pages 2
1 April 2014
A Man vs. the Cold
The short story” To Build a Fire” by Jack London, shows the relationship between man and nature. The story takes place in the Yukin during long cold nights. The main character who is unnamed travels with a dog on a small trail to a mining camp. The man leaves against the advice of a local and shortly after realizes that he should have waited like the local told him. The temperature is extremely cold and life risking. For example, the man's spit freezes way before it hits the ground. The main obstacle of his journey is the many covered spring that would lead to death for whoever falls into them. The man sends his dog in front of him to make sure that the trail safe to cross. Eventually the dog falls into one of the springs and gets it's his paws wet. Acting solely off of incident, the dog begins to chew the ice off his feet. Further down the trailer a similar thing happened, but this time the man falls into the spring. In order to keep his feet from freezing he has to build fire. The first of attempt failed do to the location the man chose which was under tree. After the man is unable to light a second fire do to the loss of feeling in his fingers he begins to panic and then runs freely until exhausted and eventually dies. Throughout the story the mood gives the impression of extreme cold, and the tone is ironic. Through the actions of the main character, Jack London shows that man must be humble to

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