to build a fire theme essay

To Build a Fire

Jack london, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

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• To Build a Fire: Novel Summary
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• To Build a Fire: Metaphor Analysis

To Build a Fire: Theme Analysis

• To Build a Fire: Top Ten Quotes
• To Build a Fire: Biography: Jack London
• To Build a Fire: Essay Q&A

Pride and arrogance The pride of the central protagonist is evident in his decision to not listen to all of the advice from the old-timer. As a newcomer to the area, the man is described as having very little knowledge and no experience of surviving such cold temperatures and yet he chooses to travel alone despite what he has been told. His lack of foresight and imagination is elemental to the arrogance on display and his treatment of his dog serves to emphasise a desire to control nature. This arrogance is punished in the narrative as he comes to recognize that he finally has no choice but to give into death. Because of his death, the narrative has a moral edge that demonstrates how arrogance and individualism are destructive forces. These two qualities are depicted as being interrelated as the man’s decision to travel alone is in keeping with both his arrogance and the individualistic way of life. The dangers of the freezing temperature This thematic concern runs throughout the story and gives it a dramatic context. It is explained and then repeated several times how dangerous it would be if the man should get wet and fail to build a fire to dry out. The coldness is the man’s enemy and is also a symbol of the natural world in competition with humanity. In this instance, the representative man is thwarted. The need to build a fire The importance of this theme is first broached in the title and becomes increasingly significant once the man begins to freeze from the effects of soaking his feet and legs. Fire represents humanity’s control over nature, and in this light it may be seen as a form of civilization. With regard to the plot, it is also a life-giving essential. As a theme, the need to build a fire is imperative to stave off death and when the man fails to do so his danger increases. When his hands become numb and he is unable to separate the matches, the dramatic tension also increases. This is magnified once all the matches are used and the man recognizes how close he now is to dying. By having this as a main theme, the narrative is stripped of everything but sharp associations. The man is alone without any possible assistance and the inability to build the fire means he is facing certain death. The lack of fire demonstrates how ultimately vulnerable the man is.

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To Build a Fire

By jack london, to build a fire themes, determinism.

The movement of naturalism was greatly influenced by the 19th-century ideas of Social Darwinism, which was in turn influenced by Charles Darwin's theories on evolution. Social Darwinism applied to the human environment the evolutionary concept that natural environments alter an organism's biological makeup over time through natural selection. Social Darwinists and naturalists cited this as proof that organisms, including humans, do not have free will, but are shaped, or determined, by their environment and biology. Naturalists argued that the deterministic world is based on a series of links, each of which causes the next (for more on these causal links, see Causal links and processes, below). In " To Build a Fire ," London repeatedly shows how the man does not have free will and how nature has already mapped out his fate. Indeed, both times the man has an accident, London states "it happened," as if "it" were an inevitability of nature and that the man had played no role in "it." The most important feature of this deterministic philosophy is in the amorality and lack of responsibility attached to an individual's actions (see Amorality and responsibility, below).

Amorality and responsibility

A curious revision occurs when London writes that the man's second accident with the snow was his "own fault or, rather, his mistake." While both are damning words, "fault" is much more serious; it implies an underlying moral responsibility and role in future consequences, while "mistake" suggests an isolated incident outside of one's control. Likewise, the man believes his first accident is bad "luck," another word that connotes lack of free will. "Accident," too, insinuates an unforeseen or unanticipated event out of one's power.

If naturalism maintains that an individual has no free will (see Determinism, above), as London's careful phrasing suggests, then it is logical that the individual should not bear responsibility for his actions: if humans are not even in control of our own actions, why should we take responsibility for them?

The answer is that one should take responsibility for one's actions if one can anticipate potential consequences. Since the naturalistic world is based on causal links (see Causal links and processes, below), it should be possible, to an extent, to predict the consequences of our actions. The man could not have anticipated his falling through the snow, and therefore it is merely bad "luck." However, he should have anticipated that his other action--building a fire under a spruce tree--could carry potentially significant consequences: the snuffing out of the fire. Only in this anticipatory sense is he somewhat responsible. That London revises his judgment from "fault" to "mistake" suggests the gray area in the man's responsibility; while he should have anticipated the results of his actions, and thus be held liable, he did not, so he cannot be held liable.

Causal links and processes

"To Build a Fire" is, among other things, a virtual instruction manual on how to build a fire. It details specifically how one goes about gathering twigs and grasses, assembling them, lighting them, and keeping the fire going. The story, like many naturalist works, is obsessed with processes. These processes can be viewed as causal links--each event causes the next one. Causality is another preoccupation of naturalism, which grounds itself in the philosophy of determinism (see Determinism, above).

While the man in the story is adept with physical processes, he cannot make associative mental leaps and project causal links in his mind. London tells us this from the start, describing how the extreme cold does not make him meditate in successively larger circles on man's mortality. He has also ignored advice about avoiding the cold, not thinking ahead to what might happen in such harsh conditions. This deficit hurts him most when he builds the fire under the spruce tree; he does not think ahead that he might capsize the tree's load of snow and snuff out the fire. Only by the end of the story, when he is near death, does he mentally process causal links, thinking about his own death and how others might come across his body. The ability to process these mental causal links is the only way one can be held responsible for his actions in naturalism (see Amorality and responsibility, above). Since the man does not make these mental links, he is not fully responsible for the accidents that befall him.

Instinct over intellectualism

Though the man is hardly an "intellectual," he exercises intellectual properties more than instinctive ones. He uses complicated tools (matches) to build a fire; he understand how cold it is through temperature readings; he identifies where he is (Henderson Creek, the Yukon) through language on a map. The dog , on the other hand, is pure instinct. It remains warm through its fur coat or by burrowing into the snow; it has an innate understanding of the cold and its dangers; it could not point out its location on a map, but it knows by scent where to find the nearby camp with men. In the Yukon, instinct is far superior to intellect. The man's intellect backfires on him. His ability to light the matches with his numb fingers suffers in the extreme cold, and both his fingers and the matches are examples of man's naturally selected advantage of intellect: man has fingers to operate tools, and his larger, more complex brain allows him to create such tools. The dog is much wiser, aware that the cold is too dangerous for them; it even knows when the man is trying to deceive it somehow (he wants to kill it and bury his hands in its warm carcass). Accordingly, only the dog survives, and though it may not be able to take care of itself fully, it instinctively knows to go to "the other food-providers and fire-providers" in the nearby camp.

Indifferent environment and survival

Naturalism not only maintains that the environment is deterministic (see Determinism, above), but indifferent. The environment does nothing to help its inhabitants; in fact, it is coldly indifferent to their existence and struggle. In "To Build a Fire," the Yukon would be bitterly cold without the man, as well, and it does not cease when the man struggles to stay alive. This indifference makes survival itself a critical goal for naturalist characters. As the story goes on, the man changes his goal from reaching the camp, to warding off frostbite, to merely staying alive. Naturalism thus elicits profound conflicts, man versus nature being one of them.

The objective power of numbers and facts

Naturalism maintains that the world can be understood only through scientific, objective knowledge. In "To Build a Fire," the reader receives a number of these hard facts. For instance, temperatures lower than negative fifty degrees Fahrenheit demarcate the danger zone of traveling alone. London tells us the exact amount of matches the man lights at once (seventy). Moreover, the man is preoccupied with the distance to the camp and the time he will reach it. These hard facts should arm the man with enough information to assess competently the deterministic environment (see Determinism, above), but he fails to do so before he is in mortal danger.

Naturalistic subject matter and language

Naturalist fiction writers devised new techniques and subject matters to convey their ideas. Generally, they focused more on narrative rather than character. "To Build a Fire" has a nearly nonstop narrative drive, and we only occasionally enter into the mind of the man--who does not even have a name in the story, indicating how little London is concerned with him as a unique person. Naturalists often used sparer, harder language to complement their plot-driven stories; this tendency can be seen as a verbal corollary to naturalism's preoccupation with objectivity (see The objective power of numbers and facts, above). Finally, naturalism usually turned its attention to the often-ignored lower classes. The man in the story is a lower- to middle-class drifter trying to strike it rich; no one with any wealth would risk his life in such brutal conditions.

To Build a Fire Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for To Build a Fire is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

The author’s descriptions of the cold weather suggest that —

A. the cold should never be underestimated.

what motivations do the man's thoughts reveal? how could these lead to a dilemma that advances the plot

The man has hubris or pride. He thinks that he can outsmart nature and make it to the boys at Henderson Creek. He thinks he knows better than his very apprehensive husky and the old timer's advice. If the man respected nature he would have...

. Works of naturalism often address the theme of survival of the fittest. Give examples that show how London’s story develops this theme. What message does the story convey about the survival of the fittest?

Jack London specialized in stories about the wilderness. His running theme involved the raw majesty and power of the elements. Naturalism was London's mantra and this story is a perfect example of this. In "To Build a Fire" the setting is in the...

Study Guide for To Build a Fire

To Build a Fire study guide contains a biography of Jack London, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About To Build a Fire
• To Build a Fire Summary
• To Build a Fire Video
• Character List

Essays for To Build a Fire

To Build a Fire literature essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of To Build a Fire.

• Chain-smoking: Causality in "To Build a Fire"
• Realism: Compare and Contrast
• Literary Naturalism: A Comparison of Maggie: A Girl of the Streets and To Build A Fire
• Our America: The Abiding Question of Nation and National Identity in American Literature
• A War Against Nature: Instinct in "To Build a Fire"

Lesson Plan for To Build a Fire

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to To Build a Fire
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• To Build a Fire Bibliography

E-Text of To Build a Fire

The To Build a Fire e-text contains the full text of To Build a Fire by Jack London.

• Full Text of To Build a Fire

Wikipedia Entries for To Build a Fire

• Introduction
• 1908 version plot
• 1902 version

88 To Build a Fire Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best to build a fire topic ideas & essay examples, 📌 most interesting to build a fire topics to write about, 👍 good research topics about to build a fire, ❓ to build a fire essay questions.

• “A Blizzard Under Blue Sky” by P. Houston and “To Build a Fire” by J. London The nature is one of the greatest mysteries of the world; the value assumptions about the place of individuals in nature and their relationship to their canine companions is the issue discussed in two nice […]
• “To Build a Fire” a Story by Jack London Another of the details that support the postulation that the main idea of the story is that assumptions can kill is the inability of the main character to recognize his limitations.
• “Open Boat” and “To Build A Fire” Comparison Similar to the theme of natural forces, in ‘The Open Boat,’ Crane describes the plight of four men who have been shipwrecked and are isolated on the ocean in a tiny dinghy.
• “To Build a Fire” and “White Snow” by Jack London In order to analyze how patterns in writing occurs, I take the example of Jack London and the following paragraph will analyze the two short stories written by the author, ‘To Build a Fire’ and […]
• “To Build a Fire” by Jack London The protagonist of the story is the man who “was a newcomer in the land, a chechaquo, and this was his first winter” and he is the prime tool at the hands of the writer […]
• Instability of Characters in London’s To Build a Fire and Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart Therefore, the only obsession that the narrator has with the man is his strange eye, but his inability to control his feelings drives him to commit the heinous act and take the blame.
• Exploring Futility in “The Chrysanthemums,” “To Build a Fire,” and “The League of Old Men” The article explores the symbolism of Elisa as the main character in Steinbeck’s “The Chrysanthemums” and especially her representation of the ignored and oppressed women of her time.
• Courting Futility in “To Build a Fire,” “The League of the Old Men,” and “The Chrysanthemums” London’s “To Build a Fire” quite likely the most famous of the author’s short stories tracks the trail of a lone wanderer in the Yukon Territory at the turn of the 20th century.
• “To Build a Fire” by Jack London: Man and Nature By describing the protagonist’s challenges and his death at the end of the story, the writer emphasizes the power of nature and its indifference towards an individual’s life.
• Nature and Man in “To Build a Fire” by Jack London In conclusion, it should be noted that the theme of the struggle between man and nature is a wonderful aesthetic approach.
• Man’s Doom: “To Build a Fire” by Jack London The man’s fallacy of not appreciating the realities again becomes evident in the fact that he decides to build the fire “under the spruce tree,” instead of building it “in the open”..
• Man-Animal Conflict: “To Build a Fire” by Jack London Out of a variety of the elements depicted in the story, the greatest impression is made by the conflict between the man and his wolf dog.
• ‘The Open Boat’ and ‘To Build a Fire’ In fact, the hard language in the narration and the twists and turns of the story make the man seem like a sideshow.
• Jack London’s “To Build a Fire” The dog that accompanies the man is also indifferent to the man even though it seems to be have more aware of the danger posed by travelling in that kind of weather than the man […]
• Naturalism in Jack London’s To Build a Fire and The Call of the Wild The validity of such an idea can be well explored in regards to the literary legacy of one of America’s greatest writers Jack London, as the extreme naturalism of many of his short stories and […]
• A Struggle With Nature in Jack London’s “To Build a Fire”
• The Role of Setting in “To Build a Fire” by Jack London
• Character That Display the Theme of Nature Versus Nurture in “To Build a Fire” and “White Fang” by Jack London
• Intellect vs. Instinct in “To Build a Fire” by Jack London
• Overconfidence and Arrogance in “To Build a Fire” by Jack London
• Comparing the Two Versions of “To Build a Fire”
• An Analysis of the Setting and Theme in “To Build a Fire” by Jack London
• The Awakening Journey in “Young Goodman Brown” and “To Build a Fire”
• The Man’s Portrait in Jack London’s “To Build a Fire”
• The Theme of Perseverance in “To Build a Fire” by Jack London
• “To Build a Fire” as a Representation of Authors Attitude to Klondike Gold Rush
• Analysis of Traveller in Jack London’s “To Build a Fire”
• Human Flaws and the Importance of the Open Mind in Jack London’s “To Build a Fire”
• Significance of Words “Dying” and “Death” in “To Build a Fire”
• The Elements of Naturalism in the Short Story “To Build a Fire” by Jack London
• The Three Principle Themes in Jack London’s “To Build a Fire”
• Nature in Jack London’s “To Build a Fire”
• The Relationship Between Humankind and Nature Portrayed in London’s “To Build a Fire”
• The Harsh Reality of Life in “To Build a Fire,” “Genesis of the Tenements,” and “Men in the Storm”
• Choices and Responsibility in London’s “To Build a Fire” and Crane’s “The Open Boat”
• Comparison and Contrast of “To Build a Fire” and “The Open Boat”
• The Notion of Realizm in “The White Heron” and “To Build a Fire”
• The Definition of Nature in “To Build a Fire” by Jack London
• Realism in Jack London’s “To Build a Fire” and Stephen Crane’s “A Mystery of Heroism”
• The Fight of Survival in “To Build a Fire” by Jack London
• “To Build a Fire”: An Environmentalist Interpretation
• The Disregard and Discredit of Women’s Intelligence as a Result of Perception in “To Build a Fire” by Jack London
• Biographical Criticism in “To Build a Fire” by Jack London
• Man’s Struggles in the Domination of Nature in “To Build a Fire” by Jack London
• Fighting Nature: Animalistic Instinct in Jack London’s “To Build a Fire”
• Comparison of Krakauer’s “Into the Wild” and London’s “To Build a Fire”
• Life Theme in Jack London’s “To Build a Fire”
• Character Analysis of the Main Character in “To Build a Fire” by Jack London
• Evident Social Darwinism and Determinism in Jack London’s “To Build a Fire”
• A Symbolic Interpretation of “To Build a Fire” by Jack London
• The Importance of the Dog to Understand the Theme in “To Build a Fire”
• The Theme of Existentialism in “To Build a Fire” by Jack London and in the Film “Up in the Air”
• Chain Smoking: Causal Links in “To Build a Fire”
• Stability of Characters in “To Build a Fire” and “The Tell Tale Heart”
• An Analysis of the Winter Wonderland in Jack London’s “To Build a Fire”
• Foreshadowing in “To Build a Fire” by Jack London
• How Does “To Build a Fire” Reflect Key Naturalist Beliefs?
• What Was the Temperature in “To Build a Fire”?
• What Is a Chechaquo in “To Build a Fire”?
• What External and Internal Forces Must the Man Struggle Against in “To Build a Fire”?
• What Happened to the Matches in “To Build a Fire”?
• What Does the Man’s Failure in “To Build a Fire” Symbolize?
• What Is the Irony in “To Build a Fire”?
• What Was the Man’s Biggest Mistake in “To Build a Fire”?
• What Do the Man and Dog Represent in “To Build a Fire”?
• Why Does the Man Die in “To Build a Fire”?
• Why Did Not London Give the Man a Name in “To Build a Fire”?
• What Happened to the Man at the End of the Story “To Build a Fire”?
• What Motivates the Dog in “To Build a Fire”?
• What Is the Goal of the Author in Writing the Story “To Build a Fire”?
• What Does the Snow Symbolize in “To Build a Fire”?
• What Is the Foreshadowing in “To Build a Fire”?
• What Is the External Conflict in “To Build a Fire”?
• What Is the Relationship Between Man and Nature in the Story “To Build a Fire”?
• What Does the Boys Symbolize in “To Build a Fire”?
• How Many Attempts Did the Man Make in “To Build a Fire”?
• What Is the Climax in “To Build a Fire”?
• What Was Unusual About the Man’s Journey in “To Build a Fire”?
• What Is the Man’s Fatal Flaw in “To Build a Fire”?
• Where Was the Man Going in the Story “To Build a Fire”?
• What Does the Man Finally Learn From His Experience in “To Build a Fire”?
• How Is the Conflict Resolved in “To Build a Fire”?
• Who or What Is the Antagonist in the Story “To Build a Fire”?
• What Is the Plot of the Story “To Build a Fire”?
• Why Is the Man Out in the Cold “To Build a Fire”?
• Who Is the Main Character in the Story “To Build a Fire”?
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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Books — To Build a Fire

Essays on To Build a Fire

“to build a fire” essay, types of "to build a fire" essays:.

• Character Analysis: This type of essay focuses on analyzing the main character in the story and their personality traits, motivations, and actions.
• Literary Analysis: A literary analysis essay explores the literary devices used in the story, such as symbolism, imagery, and foreshadowing.
• Theme Analysis: This type of essay examines the major themes of the story, including the struggle between man and nature, the power of instinct over reason, and the inevitability of death.

Character Analysis Essay

• Choose a character: Start by choosing the character you want to analyze. It can be the protagonist or any other character that interests you.
• Gather evidence: Read the story carefully and take notes on the character's actions, dialogue, and thoughts. This will help you gather evidence to support your analysis.
• Identify traits: Identify the character's personality traits, including their strengths and weaknesses. Consider how these traits affect their behavior and decisions.
• Provide evidence: Use direct quotes and specific examples from the story to support your analysis. This will help you make a strong argument and convince your reader.
• Discuss the impact: Consider the character's impact on the story and the other characters. How do they shape the plot and the other characters' actions?

Literary Analysis Essay

• Start by reading the story carefully and taking notes on the literary elements you observe. Pay attention to the story's setting, characters, themes, and symbols.
• Choose a specific literary element to focus on in your essay. For example, you might choose to analyze how the story's setting contributes to the overall tone and mood of the story.
• Use evidence from the text to support your analysis. Look for specific quotes or examples from the story that illustrate the literary element you are discussing.
• Consider the historical and cultural context in which the story was written. How might the author's experiences and worldview have influenced the story?
• Avoid simply summarizing the story or retelling the plot. Instead, focus on analyzing how the literary elements work together to create meaning.

Theme Analysis Essay

• Read the story several times: Before starting to write, it is crucial to understand the plot and the elements that contribute to the theme. Take notes on the characters, setting, and events that contribute to the theme.
• Identify the theme: Analyze the story's plot and characters to determine the central message or theme. The theme may be implicit, so look for patterns and repeated ideas in the story.
• Develop a thesis statement: Craft a clear and concise thesis statement that summarizes the main idea of the essay and the argument you will be making.
• Use evidence from the story: To support your argument, use direct quotes and examples from the story. Analyze how these examples contribute to the development of the theme.
• Provide context: Discuss the historical and cultural context of the story to provide a deeper understanding of the theme and how it relates to the time period in which the story was written.
• Edit and revise: Once the essay is written, take the time to edit and revise for clarity, coherence, and organization. Ensure that each paragraph supports the thesis statement and that the essay flows logically.

Tips for Choosing a "To Build a Fire" Essay Topic:

• Look for a unique angle: Instead of writing about a common topic, try to find a unique angle to explore. For example, you could focus on how the story portrays the relationship between humans and animals.
• Use quotes: Incorporating quotes from the story can help support your argument and add depth to your analysis.
• Consider the historical context: Jack London wrote "To Build a Fire" during the Klondike Gold Rush, and the story reflects the harsh conditions faced by prospectors during this time. Consider how the historical context influences the story's themes and message.

Prompt Examples for "To Build a Fire" Essays

The theme of survival.

Discuss the theme of survival in "To Build a Fire." Analyze the protagonist's struggle for survival in the harsh Yukon wilderness. What obstacles does he face, and how does he attempt to overcome them? Explore the significance of nature as an antagonist in the story.

The Power of Instinct vs. Intellect

Examine the conflict between instinct and intellect in the story. Discuss the protagonist's reliance on reason and his dog's reliance on instinct. How do these contrasting approaches to survival affect the outcome of the narrative?

Nature as a Character

Explore the role of nature as a character in "To Build a Fire." Analyze how nature is personified and how it interacts with the protagonist throughout the story. Discuss the story's portrayal of the Yukon environment and its impact on the characters.

The Use of Foreshadowing

Analyze the author's use of foreshadowing in the narrative. Discuss how the story hints at the protagonist's fate through foreshadowing. Explore the effectiveness of this literary device in building tension and suspense.

The Significance of the Man's Hubris

Discuss the protagonist's overconfidence and hubris as significant elements in the story. How does his belief in his own abilities contribute to his downfall? Analyze the consequences of his arrogance in the face of nature's power.

The Symbolism of Fire

Examine the symbolism of fire in "To Build a Fire." Discuss how fire represents warmth, life, and survival in the wilderness. Analyze the protagonist's relationship with fire and how it evolves throughout the story.

The Role of the Dog

Explore the role of the dog in the story. Discuss how the dog serves as a contrast to the protagonist and as a symbol of instinctual wisdom. Analyze the dog's actions and reactions throughout the narrative.

The Man vs. Nature Trope

Discuss the recurring "man vs. nature" trope in literature and how it is exemplified in "To Build a Fire." Analyze how this theme has been explored in other literary works and how Jack London's story contributes to this theme.

The Narrative's Setting

Examine the significance of the story's setting in the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush. Discuss how the historical and geographical context adds depth to the narrative. Analyze how the setting influences the characters and their actions.

The Impact of Isolation

Analyze the theme of isolation in "To Build a Fire." Discuss how the protagonist's isolation in the wilderness contributes to his perilous situation. Explore the psychological and emotional effects of isolation on the character.

Analysis of Traveller in Jack London’s to Build a Fire

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Critical Analysis of to Build a Fire by Jack London

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Chain Smoking: Causal Links in to Build a Fire

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To Build a Fire by Jack London

Jack london's short story to build a fire.

Jack London

Adventure, short story

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