Survival versus Nature
To Build a Fire by Jack London
Report
I have chosen the short story ‘’To Build a Fire’’ by Jack London. The short story is found on page 125 of the book. The story interests me because it generally teaches individuals to view beyond the things that are placed in their sight. The short story is comparable to existence as if an individual is not keen to examine situations before getting involve people will simply take advantage of the naivety of their personalized benefits. In comparison with the story by Jack London, the man failed to evaluate the situation that he was involved in. in this circumstance, nature took it course by taking advantage of his ignorance.
In the story, London states that the death of this man is essential as it is a symbol of a weak man who had no companion to assist him during his deep scuffle with nature. The story places thoughts in individuals head that even the challenges that are posed by nature can be a challenge and overcome with the assistance of a being, critical thinking as well as developed reasoning. It is thus clear that London wished to communicate that slowly understanding rationales to be short sighted (Gale, 5). They are therefore permitting their prehistoric instincts to win because of the incapability to provide solutions. The author does not, therefore, wish for individuals to forget totally about their intuitions that are primal but he wants them to consider situations and developed reasoning so that they can be able to effectively overcome obstacles subjected in life. He, therefore, believes that individuals continuously opt for the easy actions they are therefore bound to die without help like the man portrayed in the story.
In my opinion, readers might be interested in the short story because of its classical style. This style, therefore, generates a non-forgettable and a stimulating tale which is tragic in its own nature. The story may additionally interest readers because it is a demonstration of the modern philosophical concepts (Gale, 5). This is because the theme of the story talks of a man who is in the necessity of searching for the connotation of his misery which is subjected in his solitary living in a surrounding which is indifferent and hostile to his suffering. The theme is thus emphasized by the author in three distinct ways which are imagery, an irony location that is artful as well as the setting selection which is suitable in illustration of critique thinking in complex scenarios. Moreover, the readers may be interested in the story because at some point everyone tries to get involved in things that might seem impossible and thus the story shows how such situation can be challenged.
The story is essential as it can be well used in my essay to illustrate the work of art in demonstrating situations. The theme of nature versus survival that is held by the story can be accepted and comprehended by any individual. The story to build a fire expresses different literature elements which help in getting the reader involved. The author is precise when setting the initial first of the story as he describes the story setting completely thus helping the readers in getting the sensation of the struggles that the man is going through (Gale, 6). This is, therefore, essential in developing an essay based on the great understanding that the story provides. The setting and the plotting of the story is additionally well demonstrated through the utilization of literacy techniques of narration as well as foreshadow.
Survival versus Nature
Essay
The short story To Build a Fire by Jack London holds the major principal concept of giving admiration to nature through having an authoritative understanding of the signs to warn that it provides. The story utilizes a setting that plays a major role in understanding development. London utilizes particular techniques in establishing the surrounding as well as the tone of the story. Through introducing the general readers to the story, the author prepares them for a tone that provokes fear as well as depression. Through the isolation by the destiny and the frigid weather the author illustrates how the man is uninformed of his environment. Therefore for the only world that the man is aware is the environment that he has developed solemnly. Most individuals have not been exposed to such a situation, the author accounts that the surrounding is the major determinants of survival. This is illustrated through everything that the man and his companion came across which was an illustration of danger throughout the story.
The story utilizes the third viewpoint instead of the first persona as the narrator fails to utilize first persona pronouns. First, personal view is only used when the narrator choose to take control of the story (Kennedy, and Dana, 28). The viewpoint of the story is thus not limited but it is omniscient in nature for different reasons. One the narrators are portrayed to be known n everything in the story because he does not understand only the things that are taking place but also the thinking of the characters. This can be illustrated by the phrase, ‘’the dog understood clearly that the time was not right for traveling’’ (London, 129). The narrator’s omniscience can also be demonstrated through how he developed judgment about the man making individuals believe that he knows the man completely. The narrator can thus be termed as heterodiegetic as he was not involved in the story at any moment yet he understands everything.
The setting of the story is placed In Yukon which is some place in Alaska. This setting is really crucial in the whole story as it helps in delivering the theme clearly (Kennedy, and Dana, 81). When the narrator states that the man’s fingers were numb the readers can sense the coldness of Yukon as they are able to imagine how it feels. The setting, therefore, plays a crucial role because it does not only ensure that the readers become emotionally engaged in the general story but additionally, makes them be engaged physically through feeling what the man feels. The story, therefore, develops a relevance that is between the title and the setting of the story. This implies that if the setting was developed in a place characterized by warmth it would not, therefore, relate to the story’s title because the fire would hold no importance (Kennedy, and Dana, 84).
The timing of the story was during the Gold Rush of Klondike where a large number of individuals were committed to searching for fortunes (London, 131). The social setting does not represent the strength of any social value. This is because the behaviors of those individuals involved in the story are completely opposite of the behaviors depicted by individuals in the world. This, therefore, makes the social setting of this short story to be of no relation to any specific social setting.
In regard to style and tone of the story, the narrator’s tone in the story can be termed as unemotional and frank. This is because the narrator tells everything as it is without the engagement of any emotions. At several times the narrator is seen to be subjective to an extent. The story narrator makes judgments of the main character based on what the narrator thinks. The style of writing that is utilized by Jack London can thus be termed as straightforward and uninterrupted. This is because unlike other writers who ensure that their writing is complicated in order for the readers to utilize their critical thinking capabilities, London talks about everything (Kennedy, and Dana, 84). However, despite the writing of the story being straightforward the construction of words and the development of sentences help individuals in imagining circumstances in the whole story in a very vivid manner. Accordingly, the readers are thus able to get the sensation of being involved in the story by positioning themselves in the Yukon’s man location.
In the short story, fire is utilized in the representation of life (London, 139). The story ensures that the readers understand the significance of fire in the life. The man in the story tries very hand to ensure that he light a fire simply because he understands that the existence of fire would ensure that he survives the cold weather. The importance of fire cannot, therefore, be ignored because its absence would result in misfortunes. On the other hand, the man’ hands are used to depict power. The man had no ability to kill his dog simply because his both hands were numb (London, 126). This, therefore, means that an individual holds zero power can never defend them without the ability to control thing with the hands.
The short story’s theme is centered on persistence (Kennedy, and Dana, 86). The story, therefore, makes suggestions that persistence is needed in order to achieve objectives. The man is consistent and persistent to reach the mining camp but because he failed to understand his surrounding he is involved in great danger. In addition, the man is depicted as stubborn as well as too confident that he even ignored the advice that was given by the old-timers. This, therefore, shows that no matter the strategies that one utilizes in order to get something if the objectives are not sensible and realistic they are bound to fail. This means that one is required to understand his surroundings.
The kind of arrangement of the story is described as foreshadow (Gale, 7). The short story utilizes foreshadow because there are several hints of the things that are expected to happen in the whole story. The major hint is represented when the narrator tells the readers that the dog held the instincts that the time was not appropriate to travel as Yukon was covered by coldness (Gale, 8). The second hint can be derived from the advice that was given by the old timer that individuals should not travel to Yukon under any situation without a partner as the weather was not pleasing. In the story’s middle the story’s readers are made certain about the reality of the hints that were given earlier as the experiences of the man turned to be negative. The foreshadowing style that is used by the narrator is perfect as it helps in building the climax for the story. The story’s title is to build a fire. The title is thus depicted in an infinitive mode instead of a gerund style. This suggests that the story mainly bases it focus on the effort of building the fire in order to survive the cold rather than the efficiency of building the fire. This additionally implies that the procedure of building fire goes uncompleted (Gale, 9).
In summary, to build a fire can be described as an interesting and thought provoking a story. The story has a well-built plot which helps in deepening the ethical concept of the story. This type of story can really be established in the world today. The foreshadowing style that is used in the story is perfect as it is essential in the development of climax. The story, therefore, teaches it, readers, that one is not only required to be persistent but they are additionally required to understand their environment. Understanding one’s environment as well as persistence holds complement each other because they are both authoritative in determining survival. This therefore clearly shows that London Jackson was effective in incorporating elements of literature in his writing. This is essential in ensuring that literature’s paradise is effectively enjoyed by the readers. London ensures that understanding is enhanced through the placing of irony, imagery as well as the plotting of the story. Through this features, one can fully understand the concept that the author was trying to convey to the audiences.
Work Cited
Gale, Cengage L. A Study Guide for Jack London's to Build a Fire. Farmington Hills: Gale, Cengage Learning, 2016. Internet resource.
Kennedy, X J, and Dana Gioia. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. Boston, Mass: Pearson, 2012. Print.
London, Jack. To Build a Fire: And Other Favorite Stories. , 2008. Internet resource.
