To Build a Fire: Man’s Intelligence is Foolish How many times have you seen birds flying south for the winter? They do not read somewhere or use some computer to know that they must fly to survive. In Jack London’s "To Build a Fire"‚ we see how that mans intelligence is sometimes foolish. The man‚ who is walking in seventy-five degrees below zero weather‚ lets his learned behavior override his instinct. Therefore‚ he dies. London’s theme is that no matter how intelligent society becomes‚ we
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Reaching one’s temptation is thought to be achieved through placing all cards on the table. In Jack London’s “To Build a Fire”‚ the author conveys the humanistic theme that temptation hinders the practicality of decision making. While hiking in the Yukon‚ a man faces mother nature at its worst as he strives towards reaching his temptation of wealth and fortune. Despite the warnings of those who have had firsthand experience hiking in the Yukon‚ the newcomers oversight of consequence‚ as a result
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“To Build a Fire” by Jack London is about a man’s ultimate struggle for survival in hypothermic conditions. Set in the Yukon‚ the man suffers many tribulations‚ including building an unsuccessful fire under a snow-ridden spruce tree‚ and using other botched forestry techniques that others would have avoided. The theme of this story is that advice should be taken from others who have experienced wisdom in drastic situations. At the beginning of the story‚ the narrator states that an old-timer from
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For the man in “To Build a Fire”‚ an active mind is a commodity he does not own. First‚ he has no imagination and fails to see the greater significances in minute details. As aforementioned‚ the cold was nothing but cold for the man; “That there should be anything more to it
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Krakauer and Jack London personify nature to show that nature is indifferent‚ even hostile to man in Into the Wild and “To Build a Fire”. This personification allows the reader to better understand the author’s views on nature and it helps the reader visualize how the main characters felt while completely immersed in nature. Jack London personifies nature in “To Build a Fire” and shows that nature is apathetic and even opposed towards man’s actions. This personification really emphasizes the point
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make important decisions‚ whether or not to get that new phone you’ve been looking at for the past hour‚ but almost never do we never have to make a life or death decision. It all depends on which we would rather use; instinct or intellect. In “To Build a Fire” by Jack london the lesson that he teaches about instinct vs. intellect is that man should learn whether or not to use instinct or intellect in certain‚ sometimes life threatening situations. London develops the theme through the use of characterization
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“To Build a Fire” is a short story written by Jack London‚ published in 1908. The story takes place in the Yukon when a man mistakenly ventures off the main train during the freezing winter with only a dog‚ who he shares no bond with‚ as a companion. His goal in to meet up with some friends who have set up in an old camp on Henderson Creek by 6 o’clock that night. It is seen from the beginning that he is incredibly inexperienced and overly confident when he underestimates the dangers of the treacherous
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"His Last Resort" In the short story "To Build a Fire‚" by Jack London‚ a newcomer crosses the treacherous Alaskan Yukon during the time of the gold rush‚ in a search to seek great fortune. Unfortunately‚ his failure to heed to the experienced old timer‚ as well his lack of knowledge resulted in him being unaware of the danger that faced him from within his surroundings. Thus‚ the theme of survival is conveyed through setting‚ sensory detail and characterization. Fifty degree below weather in
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In the short story “how to build a fire” Jack London is trying to send a message. I think Jack London’s message in this story is to not take things for granted and to always come prepared. In this story a guy goes on a nine hour journey in the Yukon. The temperature is 50 below zero.He should arrive at this campsite at 6:00 to go camping with his friends. On this journey he dies because he can’t bear the cold any longer. I think the guy in the story seems to always take his dog for granted. He
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In “To Build a Fire‚” Jack London describes life as a valuable gift that he cherishes with his heart and spirit. The anonymous main character confronts death expressing his emotions and characteristics to the audience. The man encounters his pride and does not want to accept losing self-respect: “When he had recovered his breath and control‚ he sat up and entertained in his mind the conception of meeting death with dignity” (638). The man realizes his mistakes during his travel from the Yukon trail
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