Nature and Man in To Build a Fire by Jack London

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Nature and Man
Dog
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

Environmentalists have long theorized and contemplated many different methods to determine the effects of humanitys innovative nature on the natural environment. However, there is a different view of nature and the story by Jack London named To Build A Fire is a theme that manifests the opposite notion. Here we find man and nature in a situation where nature becomes a deadly antagonist.

Nature and Man

The theme of the story is the conflict between man and nature. This conflict includes the study of how humanity and the environment interact and what that can do to both the human condition as well as the condition of the environment in which humanity would fail to survive. (Robertson, 28) However, the struggle is reflected all over the story. It starts with the line, Day had broken cold and gray, exceedingly cold and gray (London, 301). The repetition of the adjectives that dines the day indicates the seriousness and severely difficult situation and the challenges the parson is about face. This description is then emphasized by indicating, There was no sun nor hint of sun &and that was due to the absence of sun. (London, 301) Later, we find that the man is attempting to take help from nature in form of spruce trees and fire in order to counter nature. We find in the description that tangled in the underbrush about the trunks & dry, last-years grasses. (London, 306) This was another encounter between Man and nature. Here there was a possibility that the tree would provide him with firewood needed for the fire to keep him warm and dry in the midst of freezing cold. However, the possibility was diminished as there was thick layer of snow over the branches and that kept the fire from burning. It was evident that under such conditions the man would not survive in that below freezing temperature.

Dog

Though there is a character of a wolf dog, it can be stated that the dog is the link between man and nature or the manifestation of the achievement of the humankind. This is because; in the first place the humankind domesticated and tamed a wild and natural creature. However, at the end we find that the dog runs towards human settlement once the man dies to survive indicates that under such extreme condition a human being is alone in the mercy of the nature and all his accomplishments are of no help to him. A little longer it delayed, howling under the stars &where were the other food-providers and fire-providers. (London, 312) This is a situation where man and nature are rivals of each other on neutral ground and without any help. The link of the dog also indicates the vitality of the theme. It is mentioned, The dog sat facing him &snow and make no fire. (London, 312) The writer indicates that whatever the humankind has achieved is due to cunning strategy of bribery. The dog has been modulated from wolf in lure of easy food and shelter and the moment it is available the dog returns or withdraws help. (Cameron, 224) This is the most punishing sub-theme of the entire theme of struggle between man and nature.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it should be noted that the theme of the struggle between man and nature is a wonderful aesthetic approach. Nevertheless, to truly create something that gives off a strong aesthetic presence, one usually must feel some sort of emotional attachment to whatever it is writers are working on. Only then will one truly pour out everything from your heart and mind. (Lamb, 167) When one can accomplish this, one can create something with true aesthetic value with meaningful theme.

Works Cited

Cameron, Elaine. Making Sense of Nature. NY: Kogan Page Publishers, 2004.

Lamb, Davis. Cult to Culture: The Development of Civilization. Wellington: National Book Trust, 2004.

London, Jack. To Build A Fire. Richard Fay (ed) Stories and storytellers. Fourth Ed. Wellington: BLT, 2006. P. 301-312

Robertson, Ian. Society: A Brief Introduction. New York: Worth Publishers, Inc, 1989.

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Nature and Man in To Build a Fire by Jack London

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