HumanitiesLinguisticsLanguagesEnglish LanguageTo Build A Fire- By Jack London: Review Questions–
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To Build A Fire- By Jack London: Review Questions--

Sabrina Edwards avatar Sabrina Edwards
4 September 2022
4.7 (114 reviews)
11 test answers

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1. Why must the man stop and build a second fire?
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"And then it happened. At a place where there are no signs, the man broke through. It was not deep. He was wet to his knees before he got out of the water to the firm snow."
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2. What causes his second fire to go out?
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The man builds his second fire under a spruce tree. The snow shakes loose (capsizes) and snuffs out the fire. His hands are so frozen that he cannot move them to start the fire.
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3. Why does the man have difficulty rebuilding the second fire?
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The man's hands are numb; he's having a difficult time gathering twigs and holding the matches to strike them.
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4. What ultimately happens to the man and the dog?
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Man dies; dog goes to camp. The man dies from excessive cold, hypothermia. The dog runs off to find shelter and protection.
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5. In what way does the setting act as an antagonist, an opponent, of the man?
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The cold can kill him.
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6. How do the conflicts he faces create tension? Cite evidence from the story.
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Whenever he falls in the water; and you don't know/suspect him to die later.
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7. Identify three mistakes the man makes. What traits or qualities cause him to make these mistakes?
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He went there in the spring, traveled alone, he built the fire under snow laying tree, over confident, lack of common sense, "DOES NOT NO COLD." The man's initial mistakes come because he's prideful and overconfident. In the end, he lacks experience.
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8. Point out differences between the man and the dog. What message about instincts do you get from these contrasts?
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The man- dumb and over confident. No instinct reaction. The dog- instinct truster and smart and has common sense. TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS!! The dog is guided by instinct and the man is guided by a sense of arrogance. The man treats the dog as he treats nature: he lacks respect for both. The dog and the elements are in sync with nature's rhythms; the man is not. London's familiar theme of respect for this setting is hammered home when the man freezes to death alone in the snow. The dog will survive, he knows the cold and what his limits are born through ages of instinct and conditioning.
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9. Describe the mood, or atmosphere, of the story. How does the description of the setting contribute to the mood?
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Unistonishinimable Mood. The mood adds suspense. The atmosphere/ territory was cold.
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10. What do you blame for the man's fate? Support your answer.
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"He did not no cold." Overconfidence- He went alone.
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11. Two principles of the philosophy of naturalism are (1)the universe is indifferent to humankind and (2) people are at the mercy over forces of which they have little control. How are these principles illustrated in "To Build a Fire"? Use examples from the story to support your answer.
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11. Two principles of the philosophy of naturalism are (1)the universe is indifferent to humankind and (2) people are at the mercy over forces of which they have little control. How are these principles illustrated in "To Build a Fire"? Use examples from the story to support your answer.