The Role Of Survival In Jack London's To Build A Fire

“Survival is not about being fearless. It's about making a decision, getting on and doing it, because I want to see my kids again, or whatever the reason might be.” -Bear Grylls, survival expert. The protagonist of “To Build a Fire” by Jack London may have been fearless, but that does not lead to him to survival. He makes several critical mistakes that cost him his life, including, as Bear Grylls talked about, making decisions and taking action. The protagonist did not think about his actions, analyze what he was about to do, or plan his way through the woods thoroughly (Gonzalez 96). One example of these shortcomings is when he left the first fire he made prematurely (London 83). The protagonist is so focused on moving on that he does not
The first blessing the protagonist ignored was the old-timer. When the old timer told the protagonist to not go out alone in the bitter cold, the protagonist did not listen (London 85). If he had listened, he would not have died. That is not the only blessing he ignored though, Another blessing he ignored, the first fire, might have been his most fatal mishap. The protagonist had a fire with warmth and food. He could have survived comfortably there for a long time, but he chose to ignore this fact and leave the fire as soon as he ate (London 83). His last, and probably biggest blessing, was the dog that traveled with him. On multiple occasions, the protagonist ignored or was unthankful the animal. The dog wanted to stay at the first fire, but the man yelled at it to come along (London 83). Another situation where the protagonist fails to care for the dog is when he shoved the dog in front of him so he would not get taken under the snow into the freezing water (London 81). The protagonist put the dog in a dangerous situation by putting him in front, and the protagonist showed no worry for the well being of his greatest gift out in the