To Build a Fire by Jack London (Intermediate)

Intermediate

story

On a cold and grey winter morning, a man named Jack set out on a journey. He was traveling through the Yukon wilderness, a land covered in snow and ice. Jack's loyal companion, a big grey husky named Frost, trotted along by his side. Jack was heading to a camp where his friends were waiting for him.

 

Day had broken cold and grey when Jack turned aside from the main Yukon trail and climbed a steep earth-bank. He paused at the top, looking at his watch.

“It’s nine o'clock, Frost. We need to keep moving,” Jack said, patting the dog’s head. “We have to reach the camp by evening.”

There was no sun, and the day seemed dark due to the absence of the sun. This fact did not worry Jack. He was used to the lack of sun and continued his journey.

 

Jack flung a look back along the way he had come. The Yukon lay a mile wide and hidden under three feet of ice and snow. Jack did not think much of the cold, though it was fifty degrees below zero. His only concern was reaching the old claim on the left fork of Henderson Creek by six o'clock, where his friends would have a fire and a hot supper ready.

As they walked, Jack noticed the cold biting at his nose and cheeks.

“Stay close, Frost,” Jack said. “This cold is something else, isn't it?”

At Jack's heels trotted Frost, who was more aware of the danger than Jack. Frost's instinct told it the journey was perilous. The frozen moisture from Frost's breath had settled on its fur in a fine powder of frost. Jack noticed his own beard and mustache were frosted solid.

 

After walking for a while, Jack and Frost reached Henderson Creek. Jack felt the ice give under his feet and quickly pulled back, realizing he had almost stepped into a hidden pool of water.

“That was close,” Jack muttered. “We need to be more careful.”

He skirted the danger and continued his journey. A little later, he forced Frost to go ahead to test the ice.

“Go on, boy. Make sure it’s safe,” Jack urged.

The dog fell into another hidden pool but quickly got out, now with ice forming on its legs.

“Good job, Frost. But now we both need to be extra cautious,” Jack said, helping the dog shake off the ice.

 

At noon, Jack decided to stop and build a fire to warm up and eat his lunch. He gathered twigs and started a small fire.

“Finally, some warmth,” Jack sighed, rubbing his hands together over the flames.

Frost sat close enough to the fire to feel the warmth but far enough to avoid getting singed. Jack felt pleased with the fire, thawed the ice from his face, and ate his biscuits.

 

After resting, Jack continued his journey. Suddenly, he broke through the ice and got his legs wet up to his knees.

“Not again!” Jack exclaimed, scrambling out of the water. “I need to build another fire, quickly.”

Angry and scared, he began gathering materials to build another fire. This time, he built it under a spruce tree. As the fire began to grow, snow from the branches above fell and extinguished the flames.

“No, no, no!” Jack shouted in frustration. “This can’t be happening!”

 

Jack tried to build another fire but struggled with his numb fingers. He dropped his matches in the snow and, after many attempts, managed to light them all at once, burning his hands but keeping the fire alive.

“Come on, fire. Stay alive,” Jack pleaded.

However, the fire went out again. Jack realized he couldn't survive without it. In a final attempt to save himself, he tried to kill Frost to use its body for warmth, but he couldn't manage with his frozen hands.

“Frost, I need you, but I can’t do it,” Jack whispered, tears freezing on his cheeks.

Ultimately, Jack accepted his fate, sat down, and succumbed to the cold. Frost, sensing Jack's death, eventually trotted off to find help.

 

The story of Jack and Frost teaches us the importance of respecting nature and recognizing our limitations. Jack's overconfidence and lack of preparedness led to his downfall. It reminds us to always heed warnings and trust our instincts, as Frost did. In the end, the wilderness is indifferent to human struggle, and survival depends on our ability to adapt and make wise decisions.

Words and Idioms

Study it with Flashcard

https://quizlet.com/kr/924914279/to-build-a-fire-by-jack-london-flash-cards/?i=3en6ue&x=1jqt

 

Perilous (adjective) - Full of danger or risk.

Instinct (noun) - An innate, typically fixed pattern of behavior in animals in response to certain stimuli.

Thaw (verb) - To melt or become unfrozen.

Numb (adjective) - Deprived of the power of sensation.

Succumb (verb) - To fail to resist pressure, temptation, or some other negative force.

Trotted (verb) - To proceed at a pace faster than a walk, lifting each diagonal pair of legs alternately.

Ascended (verb) - To go up or climb.

Subtle (adjective) - So delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or describe.

Skirted (verb) - To go around or past the edge of something.

Extinguished (verb) - To cause a fire or light to cease to burn or shine.

Struggled (verb) - To make forceful or violent efforts to get free of restraint or constriction.

Perished (verb) - To suffer death, typically in a violent, sudden, or untimely way.

Overconfidence (noun) - Excessive confidence or belief in one's abilities.

Heed (verb) - To pay attention to; take notice of.

Adapt (verb) - To make suitable for a new use or purpose; to modify.

Set out on a journey (phrase) - To begin a trip or adventure.

Steep earth-bank (phrase) - A sharply inclined area of land.

Managed with his frozen hands (phrase) - Succeeded in doing something despite having very cold and numb hands.

Loyal companion (idiom) - A faithful friend or partner who stays with someone through thick and thin.

Close call (idiom) - A narrow escape from danger or trouble.

Extra cautious (idiom) - Being very careful to avoid potential problems or dangers.

Succumb to the cold (idiom) - To give in to the harsh weather conditions and die.

Questions

1. What is Jack's main goal in his journey through the Yukon wilderness?

 

A. To find new land to settle

B. To reach the camp where his friends are waiting

C. To hunt for food

D. To find shelter from the storm

 

2. Which of the following best describes the weather conditions Jack faces during his journey?

 

A. Mild and sunny

B. Cold and snowy

C. Warm and rainy

D. Windy and dry

 

3. Why does Jack need to build a fire at noon?

 

A. To cook his food

B. To signal for help

C. To warm up and eat his lunch

D. To melt the ice on the trail

 

4. What mistake does Jack make that leads to his final struggle?

 

A. He underestimates the cold

B. He loses his way in the forest

C. He builds a fire under a tree

D. He leaves his food behind

 

5. What does the cold symbolize in the story?

 

A. Nature's indifference to human struggle

B. The warmth of friendship

C. The dangers of fire

D. The journey to self-discovery

 

6. How does Frost, the dog, serve as a symbol in the story?

 

A. It symbolizes loyalty and companionship

B. It represents the dangers of the wilderness

C. It signifies the warmth of home

D. It embodies the struggle for survival

AP-Test Style Writing Topics

 

1. Analyze the Role of Nature in "To Build a Fire": In Jack London's story, nature plays a crucial role in shaping the events and the protagonist's fate. Discuss how nature is portrayed and its impact on the story. Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis.

2. The Consequences of Overconfidence: Jack's journey through the Yukon is marked by a series of critical mistakes stemming from his overconfidence. Write an essay exploring how overconfidence leads to Jack's downfall. How does London use this theme to convey a broader message about human limitations?

3. Instinct vs. Judgment: Throughout the story, there is a clear contrast between Jack's judgment and the dog's instinct. Write an essay examining how this contrast is developed and what it reveals about the characters and their fates. How does this theme contribute to the overall message of the story?

Answer Keys

1. B

2. B

3. C

4. C

5. A

6. A

 

Sample AP-Test Style Writing

 

1. Analyze the Role of Nature in "To Build a Fire": In Jack London's "To Build a Fire," nature is depicted as an indifferent and overwhelming force. The harsh environment of the Yukon wilderness is not just a backdrop but an active presence that shapes the protagonist's journey and ultimate fate. The extreme cold, described in vivid detail, serves as a constant reminder of nature's power and the man's vulnerability. Jack, the protagonist, views the cold as merely an obstacle to be overcome, failing to respect its true danger. This underestimation leads to his critical mistakes, such as building a fire under a tree laden with snow. Nature's indifference is further emphasized by the dog's instinctual understanding of the environment, contrasting sharply with Jack's rational yet flawed judgment. The dog's behavior, rooted in instinct and survival, highlights the natural world's inherent wisdom, which Jack lacks. London's portrayal of nature in the story underscores the theme that humans are not in control of the natural world; rather, they are subject to its laws and must respect its power. The cold, the snow, and the treacherous ice symbolize the unforgiving and impartial force of nature. Jack's struggle against the cold ultimately becomes a battle he cannot win, illustrating the futility of human efforts against the elemental forces of nature. Through this depiction, London conveys a broader message about the human condition and our place within the natural world. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of hubris and the necessity of humility and respect for the environment.

 

2. The Consequences of Overconfidence: Jack's overconfidence in his abilities and his dismissal of the harsh realities of the Yukon wilderness are central to his tragic downfall in "To Build a Fire." From the outset, Jack's confidence is evident in his casual attitude toward the cold and his belief that he can easily manage the journey to the camp. He disregards the advice of the old-timer from Sulphur Creek, who warned him about the dangers of traveling alone in such extreme cold. This overconfidence leads to a series of critical errors. One of Jack's most significant mistakes is underestimating the cold's severity. He fails to recognize the signs of frostbite and continues to push forward despite his worsening condition. His decision to build a fire under a tree, resulting in the fire being extinguished by falling snow, further illustrates his lack of foresight. Jack's overconfidence blinds him to the need for caution and respect for the natural world. His repeated attempts to build a fire with numb fingers, ultimately leading to failure, underscore his refusal to accept his limitations. London uses Jack's overconfidence to highlight the theme of human vulnerability. The story suggests that overconfidence can lead to a false sense of security, causing individuals to take unnecessary risks and ignore potential dangers. Jack's fate serves as a stark reminder that nature is an uncontrollable force that demands respect and humility. Through Jack's demise, London conveys the broader message that acknowledging our limitations and heeding the wisdom of experience are crucial for survival. The story becomes a powerful critique of the arrogance that often accompanies overconfidence, emphasizing the importance of humility in the face of nature's vast and indifferent power.

 

3. Instinct vs. Judgment: In "To Build a Fire," Jack London contrasts the protagonist's judgment with the dog's instinct to highlight the differences between human rationality and animal intuition. Throughout the story, this contrast serves to underscore the protagonist's fatal flaws and the inherent wisdom of natural instincts. Jack, the human protagonist, relies on his judgment and rational thought to navigate the harsh environment of the Yukon. However, his judgment is flawed by overconfidence and a lack of respect for nature's power. He dismisses the old-timer's advice and underestimates the severity of the cold, leading to a series of critical errors. In contrast, the dog relies entirely on instinct. It understands the danger of the extreme cold and yearns for the warmth and safety of the fire. The dog's behavior is guided by survival instincts honed over generations, making it acutely aware of the environmental hazards that Jack overlooks. This instinctual wisdom is evident when the dog hesitates to cross the ice or when it instinctively knows to burrow into the snow for warmth. The contrast between Jack's judgment and the dog's instinct is most apparent in their reactions to the environment. While Jack struggles with the complexities of building a fire with frozen fingers, the dog simply seeks the nearest source of warmth. This juxtaposition emphasizes the limitations of human judgment when disconnected from natural instincts. London's portrayal of this theme serves as a critique of the modern reliance on rationality and technology at the expense of primal instincts and respect for nature. The story suggests that survival in the natural world requires a balance between judgment and instinct. Jack's failure to recognize the value of the dog's instinctual behavior ultimately leads to his demise, reinforcing the idea that nature's wisdom, embodied in instinct, is essential for survival. Through this contrast, London underscores the importance of humility, adaptability, and the recognition of nature's inherent power.

 

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