Throughout the story, Jack London utilizes an objective tone to merely report the facts and not delve too deeply into the inner thoughts of the characters. For example, he never gave neither the man nor the dog a name. In my opinion, he used the man and dog symbolically, to represent all mankind and all animals and their quest for survival. Jack London did not go in-depth about the man's background and origins. All we know is that he is on the Yukon trail going to meet the "boys". As to why and when, we don't know. This is due to the fact that the author wants the reader to focus on what is going on, rather than sentimentally connecting to the character. After reading the story, I felt a remote sympathy for the man. However, the death of the man did not evoke a strong feeling, as other stories would. Jack London easily manipulates the reader by not thoroughly depicting the character, but rather the character's actions. Thus, the reader treats the man not as a fellow human being, but as something animate yet distant.
             As the reader peruses the story, certain character traits are revealed. One method that the author utilizes is by telling us what he thinks about the man straightforwardly. In the beginning of the story, Jack London reveals that, "he was without imagination. He was quick and alert in the things of life, but only in the things, and not in the significances." By telling the reader that the man does not have imagination, the author hints on troubles the man will have later on. To the man, fifty degrees below zero is just a fact, the cold it entails never occurs to him. Thus, on the first few pages, the reader realizes his fatal character flaw. The man is also revealed through his thoughts. When realizing how cold it really was, he "experienced a pang of regret that he had not devised a nose strap..." yet he still endeavors to remain optimistic, "But it didn't...