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To Build A Fire, By Jack London

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To Build A Fire, By Jack London
I chose to read the short story "To Build a Fire" by Jack London. The story talks about a man traveling alone in a wild region during a harsh winter with his dog. He has to face many difficulties dealing with nature and his endurance was not too enough to be able to survive. He found after trying many times to build a fire that, he was loose because he did not consider the counsel of an old man, who told him a long time ago, that is dangerous to travel alone. The story describes a man reaching the borders of an human endurance in a wild environment and harsh winter and his dog's view as an animal made by the nature to face it. At the end, the man dies and the dog goes to new opportunities. I like the story just because, it explained that above everything old man experience is the best especially in journeys. Also, I like the way the author describes the mindset of the man (character) facing the harshness of the climate.

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Such facts told him that it was cold and uncomfortable, and that was all. It did not lead him to consider his weaknesses as a creature affected by temperature. Nor did he think about man’s general weakness, able to live only within narrow limits of heat and cold. From there, it did not lead him to thoughts of heaven and the meaning of a man’s life. 50 degrees below zero meant a bite of frost that hurt and that must be guarded against by the use of mittens, ear coverings, warm moccasins, and thick socks. 50 degrees below zero was to him nothing more than 50 degrees below zero. That it should be more important than that was a thought that never entered his head."

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