Jack London’s stories often depict the ongoing struggle between humanity and the natural world. This conflict is evident in his short fiction piece, “To Build a Fire,” which showcases mankind’s failure to heed nature’s warnings. The story opens with captivating imagery that effectively portrays the extreme cold and hostile weather conditions. For instance, London writes, “There was no sun nor hint of sun, though there was not a cloud in the sky,” a sentence that alone sends shivers down the reader’s spine (London 127-137). Through this vivid imagery, London aims to immerse his audience in the protagonist’s hardships and make them feel as if they are experiencing the same challenges.
London’s use of imagery is crucial in creating a setting that is essential to the story. The explicit imagery evokes a strong sense of empathy in the audience as they read. Just like in his other stories, the setting in “To Build a Fire” is portrayed as cold and dreary, standing out as a key element in the narrative. Specifically, the story takes place on the Yukon trail during the harshest winter conditions. The setting vaguely describes the perils of extreme cold and the treacherous terrain that the main character has to traverse.
London attempts to depict the brutal reality of the Yukon’s frozen landscape by describing it as “a mile wide and hidden under three feet of ice. On top of this ice were as many feet of snow.” This vivid portrayal not only sets the scene, but also emphasizes the inherent dangers posed by nature. Throughout the story, it becomes evident that the man is completely oblivious to the impending disaster that awaits him, as he obstinately ignores nature’s signs and warnings. Despite the freezing conditions, he persists in moving forward with only a dog accompanying him. However, he soon faces numerous obstacles due to his lack of comprehension and reverence towards the natural world.
In his first winter in the land, the man was unaffected by the cold and darkness. Despite his intuition telling him that the temperature was colder than fifty below, it was actually seventy-five below zero. Nevertheless, he decided to continue on, despite his numb nose and cheekbones. While eating his lunch, packed in a handkerchief, London emphasizes the man’s solitude: “There was nobody to talk to, and, had there been, speech would have been impossible because of the ice muzzle on his mouth.” This realization should have alerted the man to the mistake of venturing alone in such harsh conditions. The dog accompanying him clearly showed discomfort in traveling in the weather, which should have served as a major warning for the man. “At the man’s heels trotted a dog, a big native husky, the proper wolf-dog, gray-coated and without any visible or temperamental difference from its brother, the wild wolf. The animal was depressed by the tremendous cold.”
According to London (127-137), the man’s instinct warned him against traveling in the treacherous conditions. He was aware of the potential dangers concealed beneath the thick snow, particularly the icy waters. He knew that getting his feet wet in such extreme temperatures would bring trouble and danger. At the very least, it would lead to a delay as he would have to stop and build a fire to dry his socks and moccasins, while exposing his bare feet to the heat. To avoid experiencing the pain of the freezing waters, the man made the dog cross any areas that appeared unreliable.
Despite the dog’s backside sinking into the water and freezing instantly to his feet and legs, the man ignored this warning from nature and proceeded. However, the true danger emerges when the man himself falls through the ice. Nature had already conveyed that this trip should not be pursued, as indicated by the dog’s predicament and the advice given by the old-timer on Sulphur Creek. The old-timer not only cautioned about the chilling waters but also about the perils of solo travel.
If the man had paid attention to any of the warnings given to him, he would not find himself in this exact situation. The man quickly realized he needed to act swiftly if he wanted to protect his time, foot, and life. He made a strong effort to create a fire despite his numb hands. After much effort, he successfully built a fire but did so carelessly. The man ignored the laws of nature by constructing a fire beneath a tree and throwing its branches on the ground below. When he added another branch to the fire, it unintentionally extinguished the flames with a heap of snow.
As the cold pierced through him, the man’s fingers grew numb, revealing the impending realization. The extreme numbness prevented him from grasping onto branches or even igniting a match. Nevertheless, he clung to hope and endeavored to defy nature by constructing another fire. In his desperate attempt for warmth, he considered utilizing the dogs’ carcass. However, the dog sensed danger and instinctively distanced itself from the man.
During his final moments, the man reflects on his mistakes during the trip and regrets ignoring the advice of the old-timer. Jack London emphasizes the man’s struggle against nature by stating, “He was losing the battle with the frost.” As the man falls into what we can assume is his final sleep, the dog becomes significant in the story. Unlike the man, the dog’s natural instinct compels it to abandon him and seek survival elsewhere. The dog serves as a reminder of mankind’s inability to heed nature’s warning, while all other species live in harmony with it.
