An Analysis of Jack Londons To Build a Fire :: London To Build a Fire Essays

An Analysis of Jack Londons To make believe a FireIn his obligate To Build a Fire a Physical Fiction and Metaphysical Critics Charles E. May comments and disagrees with a statement that To Build a Fire is a chef-doeuvre of a short fiction(20). Literary critics claimed that London used many metaphors in this work such as sun-fire-life or cold-darkness-depression-death(20), but May argues that this flooring should be read and interpreted literally and does not contain deep, dual or metaphorical meaning. He says For Jack London, and consequently for the reader, the man in the tommyrot is simply a living body, the cold is simply a physical fact(22). What is more articles author strongly disagrees with the critic, who compares the makeup of the story to a theme of a classical tragedy. May sarcastically states that the only visible similarity in terms of theme would be the issue of protagonists death(22). I think that To Build a Fire story relates to many issues hidden behind a super ficial plot. The story make fulls place in a very severe overwinter the man under appreciates the dangers of nature forces and struggles to return to camp. He is warned about possible dangers, but he is also too pride and too self-confident to take the advice into consideration. The protagonist is accompanied by a dog. The man tries to survive, but forces of nature are stronger and he dies.The interpretation of the story, however, reveals real treasures problem of loneliness, deadly fear, acceptance, understanding, issue of meter, and a scary silence. The protagonist seems to be a very independent and strong person, he rather listens to himself first. He planned his way back home, and regardless to die hard condition he realizes his plans and sets off. During this trip he starts to realize that it may be too cold, initially tries to set up a fire, but it is not abundant to survive. He is scared, and has a feeling of a coming death. In some ways he is similar to a contemporary p erson, who never has enough sequence for anything. The protagonist rushes to get home, to realize his own plans, to go forward, then on a deserted land he suddenly finds time, too much time to think, and to feel. It was a very uncomfortable feeling to be aware of his own death he is able to predict what will happen. At first, he tries to leak and safely find camp, but afterwards he learns it is impossible, and accepts his fate.