Essay: "To build a fire"

"To build a fire" by Jack London is a tale of the classic struggle of man versus nature. The story paints a vivid picture of a man and his dog, who as newcomers to the Yukon wilderness, are caught in a deadly race against the never-ending cold. Jack London wrote this touching story to remind the reader never to embark on such an endeavor against nature, because in the end, nature is always the victor, and that being in extreme conditions forces one to take extreme measures.

Why did Jack London write "To build a fire?" The answers vary, but the main theme of the story is the idea that nature itself is stronger and more powerful than humans were ever meant to be. A man would have to be a fool to go against that which created him unprepared. The character in this story is proud and doesn't think he needs help. "Any man who was a man could travel alone." This offers some insight into his personality. It shows that even when the traveler so obviously required help, he stubbornly refuses to back away from his firmly established belief until the cold sets in. After failing two times to build a successful fire, he admits that he was wrong, that he had made a fatal mistake. "The old-timer on Sulphur Creek was right, he thought in the moment of controlled despair that ensued: after fifty below, a man should travel with a partner." This quote shows that once nature was given the slightest glimmer of a chance, it took the man's thoughts and sent them spinning 180 degrees in the other direction. Nature is so overpowering that it forces human being to make extreme conclusions and think extraordinary thoughts that they wouldn't have considered otherwise.

Another reason that Jack London wrote "To build a fire' is to show that when one is in extreme circumstances, one must take extreme measures. "He smiled agreeably to himself." This quote shows that at first, before the cold had set in, the man was happy and not at all worried. Once the chill gets to him, he becomes a different person entirely, allowing his animal instincts to seep through his once-calm exterior. "The sight of the dog put a wild idea into his head...he would kill the dog and bury his hands in the warm body..." This shows that before his failure to build a fire, had had given no thought to the threat of impending cold, but as soon as he couldn't have it, he began to realize how precious fire was in the Yukon .

The story, "To build a fire," is filled with enthralling scenarios which present to readers the question which has been pondered many times over the centuries. Is it man or nature which is mightier? The author wrote this short story to allow readers to do two things. One is to allow the audience to see the truth: that Mother Nature is and always will be stronger than anything mankind will ever become or produce. Another reason is to subtly hint that being in circumstances such as the man in the story was in can easily push anyone over the edge and cause one's mind to stroll down avenues that were blocked off previous to the encounter. In writing "To build a fire," Jack London tried to convey a certain message to his readers, and I think that he succeeded.