Criticism of Jack Londons To Build a Fire :: London To Build a Fire Essays

Criticism of Jack Londons To Build a FireIn her brush up of To Build a Fire Jill Widdecombe assesses the personality and motivation of the unnamed creation in the story. Widdecombe suggests a story of mystery, intrigue, and rationalization. I see it as a story about inner troth and submit the mans inner conflict parallels Widdecombes analogy of imagination versus rationalization. The conflict in the story is two-fold the man struggles in the midst of his will and cerebrate and second with the mans desires and abilities. The story places the man at betting odds with the elements, it is a conflict each of us may have encountered at one time in our lives. London in his writing attempts to simplify the ageless struggle by fashioning a tale that is understandable regardless of age.The tale is told by a mysterious narrator, centering on a nameless man and a nameless dog. In accompaniment the story could be about anyone attempting virtually anything pitting themselves against the for ces of nature and contract of sound advice. I do not see the man as a egotist however I do see a lack of cognitive reasoning. The protagonist sets out in weather conditions outlying(prenominal) more severe then he could have imagined. He travels alone, take away for the dog ironically he is told by an old native to never travel alone when the weather is below fifty below. Disregarding the advice and reasoning while it is cold, it is bearable and appropriately dressed, the conditions are not life threatening. unluckily the weather and elements are the antagonist he faces.Somewhere past the center of his trek the man breaks through the ice and his legs and feet become wet. Knowing he must dry his socks and boots or he will freeze to finale he builds a fire. While attempting to light the fire he begins to befool just how cold it must be yet he attempts to defend the situation and stay focused. The man is quickly becoming disoriented and struggles off to build a fire.After appa rently succeeding he is devastated when ascorbic acid warmed by the fire falls out of the tree he built it under and extinguishes the flame. Realizing his folly he moves his kindling and realizes his ability to hold out in the elements is quickly fading.