To build a fire
Storyboard-Text
- The setting environment that the man is in is desolate.
- The author contrasts the instincts of the dog and the intelligence of the man
- Fire symbolizes the survival of the man
- In the beginning, London described the location as, “There was no sun or promise of sun…indescribable darkness over the face of things” (London 64). London foreshadowed the setbacks for the man by describing the gloomy weather.
- The advice of elders is important
- London included how “It did not lead him [the man] to consider his weaknesses as a creature affected by temperature” (London 65).On the other hand, “...the animal sensed the danger. Its fear made it question eagerly every movement of the man as if expecting him to go into camp or to seek shelter somewhere and build a fire” (London 66). The dog was instinctual and conscious of the fact that the weather was so cold and dangerous that it was unsafe for survival. Throughout the story, it followed the man expecting him to make a fire and to help the dog with the external conditions. This contrasts with the intelligence of the man as he had none. He continued on with his trek even after he couldn’t feel his fingers and toes.
- The man was overconfident in his ability to handle the weather
- London mentioned that “There was the fire, promising life with every dancing flame.”(London 72) He also mentioned that the fire, or the symbol of life, “must not cease”. The fire was an integral component of the story because it was the man’s saving grace that allowed him to continue on his trek amid the frigid weather. If he had not been able to start a fire, he would not have survived to go as far along his journey.
- The man’s recklessness towards nature led to the failure of survival
- The old man from Sulphur creek warned the man not to go out under those weather conditions as it would be unsafe. However, the man laughed and decided to ignore his warning and continued on his journey resulting in his regret of not heeding the advice. At the end, the man realized and admitted that the Sulphur Creek man’s advice turned out to be right. It can be inferred that if he took the Sulphur Creek man’s advice, he could’ve survived.
- The man felt that “50 degrees below zero was to him nothing more than 50 degrees below zero”. Throughout the story, the man thought he was above nature and was extremely sure he could survive. He thought that the cold was something that he could control, something that could be taken care of with only gloves and mittens. He underestimated the power of nature while overestimating his ability.
- Throughout the story, the man was constantly disrespecting nature in various ways, like underestimating its power. Even as he felt his fingers and toes numbing, he walked along, aware of the risks of doing so. He didn’t care that the cold had alarming effects on his body and health.
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