Lit Analysis: To Build A Fire
In Jack London's "To Build a Fire," the common theme seems to be survival of the fittest. "According to Charles Child Walcutt, Jack London was greatly influenced by the ideas of such men as Charles Darwin..." (Robbins) This theme goes hand in hand with the ever-popular Darwin and his theory of evolution and natural selection. In "To Build a Fire", the conflict is man versus nature and the strongest will prevail thus proving the strongest survive. In the theory of natural selection the party (whether be man or animal) that survives is the one that overcomes the hardships of the conflict and adapts to the environment around them thus making them the stronger species. In the case of "To Build a Fire," the three elements Tom Vincent must overcome are the bitter cold of the Klondike, his lack of companionship, and his inexperience with the trail he travels. First and foremost, "It was on a bleak January day..." (London) when Tom decides to venture into the bitter cold of the Klondike. "The frost was sixty degrees below zero..." (London) and he had "thirty miles of lonely trail to cover..." (London) but Tom refused to have "respect for the frost..." (London) and decided to go out anyways against
It could not stop him!" (London) "Strong as were the elements, he was stronger!" (London) "He was out in it, facing it, fighting it. "The creek itself was frozen solid to its rocky bottom. After making it through such an ordeal, "Tom Vincent found out, such a companion is absolutely essential. He decided it would be best to keep moving and to put his mittens back on. through bitter experience" (London) he realized a companion would have made things much easier and his life may not be threatened. Tom knew he had to be strong to survive the cold but had no fear of the consequences he would suffer. Tom was determined not to give in to the frost that breathed down his back waiting to claim his life. "He came round a sharp turn of the creek to where he could look ahead for a mile. " (London) After falling in and his feet, now soaked to the bone with the bitter cold biting at his flesh Tom realized ". " (Robbins) Furthermore, Tom must face his lack of companionship.
Common topics in this essay:
London Tom,
Tom Vincent's,
Tom Vincent,
London Reeves,
Build Fire,
Lastly Tom's,
Darwin Robbins,
Creek London,
Furthermore Tom,
Paul Creek,
london tom,
build fire,
tom vincent,
cherry creek,
bitter cold,
fittest survive,
paul creek,
bitter cold klondike,
fittest tom,
inexperience trail,
london's build fire,
precept north,
jack london's build,
precept north london,
|
Acceptance Essays
