"To Build a Fire Story Summary". it is a short story by American author Jack London. There are two versions of this story. The first one was published in 1902, and the other was published in 1908. The story written in 1908 has become an often anthologized classic, while the 1902 story is less well known.
The 1908 version is about an unnamed male protagonist who ventures out in the subzero boreal forest of the Yukon Territory. He is followed by a native dog and is en route to visit his friends—ignoring warnings from an older man from Sulphur Creek[1] about the dangers of hiking alone in extreme cold. The protagonist underestimates the harsh conditions and freezes to death after his fire is doused and he is unable to re-light it.
In the 1902 version, though the structure and storyline are similar, the weather is not as cold and horrendous, no dog follows the protagonist, the fire is not doused, and the man (named Tom Vincent in this version) suffers only from severe frostbite and survives to become a more melancholic but wiser person.
 |
| To Build a Fire Summary |
To Build a Fire Summary
An unnamed man embarks on a walking trip to the forests adjacent to the Yukon River on a winter day when temperatures dropped to -75 degrees Fahrenheit (that is, -59 degrees Celsius). The man ignores all warnings against the dangers of traveling alone in such weather conditions, but is followed by a huge husky dog. The dog's instincts are awakened to the impending danger by the bitter cold, but he follows the man involuntarily. During their walk along the frozen stream, the man remains attentive so as not to step on thin ice layers that may be hidden by snow that covers patches of non-freezing water. His goal was to catch up with a group of prospectors (they are called "Boys" in the story) at their campsite before six o'clock that evening.
At half past twelve in the afternoon, the man stops to light a fire to pray with and eat his lunch. Shortly after following the walk, he steps on a fragile patch of ice and his feet sink into the freezing water, which forces him to stop to light another fire near a tree to dry himself. Every time a man pulls branches from the bushes surrounding the tree to throw them into the fire, this movement causes a vibration that causes snow to fall from the branches of the tree on the fire and extinguishes it.
The man quickly loses the sensation of his limbs, hurries to light another fire, realizing now with hindsight the importance of the warnings he received about the mortal danger posed by extreme cold. He lights the fire after he has exhausted all the matches in his possession, and it turns out that he burned himself in the process, but did not feel the burn due to the numbness in his hands. While trying to remove some moss from the fire, the man inadvertently separates the burning branches from each other, and the fire goes out.
After missing the opportunity to start another fire, the man tries to kill the dog to use his body heat to save himself, but his hands are so stiff that he cannot strangle the dog or even pull out a knife to slaughter it. In the end, the man tries to restore blood circulation by running towards the camp, but stumbles and falls several times on the snow. The man dies of hypothermia, and it seems to him that he is standing with the "boys" when they find his body; the dog leaves the deceased man after dark and sets off to look for food and shelter in the camp.
To Build a Fire Themes
Indifference of Nature: The harsh Yukon wilderness is the central antagonist. It is devoid of emotion or concern for the man's struggle, existing in a state of uncaring cold and unforgivingness. This theme emphasizes the power of nature and humanity's vulnerability within it.
Man vs. Nature: The man's desperate fight against the freezing temperatures drives the narrative. His every action is a battle against the relentless onslaught of the cold, highlighting the fragility of human life in the face of extreme natural forces.
Chance and Human Error: While nature sets the stage, the man's mistakes contribute to his demise. His failure to account for the extreme conditions, miscalculation of resources, and impulsive decisions ultimately seal his fate, illustrating the fragility of human plans against unpredictable forces.
Instinct vs. Intellect: The dog, representing pure instinct, thrives in the cold, while the man, relying on his rational mind, fails to adapt. This contrast raises questions about the limitations of human intellect and the potential power of instinctive knowledge in extreme situations.
Will to Survive: Despite the overwhelming odds, the man exhibits a relentless will to survive. He pushes himself to the limit, employing every remaining ounce of strength and resourcefulness to fight for his life. This theme underscores the human spirit's capacity for perseverance and the struggle for self-preservation.
Isolation and Loneliness: Trapped in the vast wilderness, the man experiences profound isolation. He has no connection to other humans, amplifying the fear and desperation of his situation. This theme emphasizes the importance of human connection and the psychological toll of solitude.
Mortality and Acceptance: As the man faces his inevitable death, he experiences a moment of acceptance. He lets go of his fight and succumbs to the cold, acknowledging the limitations of human control over his own fate. This theme explores the inevitability of death and the potential for finding peace in acceptance.
Loss of Control: Throughout the story, the man feels a constant sense of losing control. The unforgiving environment dictates his actions, and his mistakes compound his vulnerability. This theme emphasizes the limitations of human control over external forces and the potential for helplessness in the face of overwhelming circumstances.
You may also like to read: To Build a Fire Quotes
Questions and Answers about To Build a Fire Plot
What is the short summary of To Build a Fire? Jack London's short story, “To Build a Fire,” is the tragic tale of a man who decides to travel alone through the hostile environment of the Yukon in sub-freeing temperatures and falls victim to the unrelenting and unforgiving power of nature.
What is the moral of the story To Build a Fire? What is the moral of the story "To Build a Fire"? The moral of the story is to take advice from those who are more experienced and to not be arrogant. The man, in his arrogance, ignored the advice of an old-timer who said to never travel alone when it is -50 or colder.
What is the main conflict of the story To Build a Fire? The conflict in ''To Build a Fire'' is man versus nature because the protagonist has to battle the harsh conditions of the Yukon in a fight for survival.
What is the meaning of To Build a Fire? Through the man's preventable death, “To Build a Fire” demonstrates that people need others to survive. The man rejects potential companionship in a number of ways, thus leading to his death. First of all, he is traveling on his own, accompanied by only a dog with whom he has no real bond.
What is the main goal in To Build a Fire? Answer and Explanation: In "To Build a Fire," London's basic purpose is to entertain. However, his larger purpose is to develop the theme that nature is larger than man and must be approached with care.
How did the story To Build a Fire end? By the end of the story, he dies as a result of his arrogance. Through this story, London shows how the man's demise is due to his humanity and lack of knowledge when entering this journey. Also, he shows that the dog survives because of following its instincts which is something that the man does not pay attention to.
What are all the themes in to build a fire? The dog shows no loyalty to the man; instead, it is motivated by the urge to survive. The dog is aware of the man's tone of voice and reacts in ways that will best ensure its survival. For example, the dog heeds the man's call, but "it was not concerned with the well-being of the man.
What is the irony in to build a fire? The moment when a pile of snow falls and blots out the man's fire is the most dramatic and climactic moment of the story. It is also an example of situational irony—at the exact moment the man believes himself to be safe and begins to relax, disaster strikes. He should not have built the fire under the spruce tree.
Who is the protagonist in To Build a Fire? The man is the main character and protagonist of the story, yet the narrator retains a judgmental distance from him. The narrator describes the man as “not able to imagine” and makes it clear that the man's own actions and choices are what lead to his death.
What are the elements of the story To Build a Fire? The story is constructed using gradual tension and respects the five-element traditional plot, having an exposition, a rising action, a climax, a falling action and a resolution.
What is the mood of the story To Build a Fire? The mood of "To Build a Fire" is initially lonely and bleak, with London's imagery emphasizing the man's isolation and the harshness of the landscape.