In today's world of thermal underwear and morning weather reports, much of the population of the world has lost sight of what it was like for our forefathers only a century ago. Before the invention of quick-start logs and windproof lighters, temperature and weather conditions were major concerns for travelers and adventurers spending time in the wilderness. In his 1908 short story "To Build A Fire", London shows the death of a man who was too arrogant to listen to the words of advice given him, and much too unobservant of his surroundings. Jack London reaches down through the years to teach respect for the awesome powers of nature and that adventurers should listen to the voice of experience when in the great outdoors.
             Stating often that it is colder than negative fifty degrees and writing such events as the mans spit crackling before it hits the ground, London explains the extreme conditions the man is traveling through. The man, however, fails to give consideration to these aspects of his surroundings until it is much too late for him. He steps through some thin ice and gets his feet wet. London describes the man's lack of feeling in his extremities as almost immediate. As a result, the man must succeed in building a fire with numbness and frostbite setting in. He must warm up and dry his footgear. Otherwise, he will lose his feet, and possibly his life.
             That alone would not have been difficult had the man heeded the advice of the old-timer from Sulphur Creek and traveled with another person. But, like so many inexperienced adventurers, the man was too arrogant and proud to listen to the advice he was given. The man began to sorely regret that course of action. But, not until after his first attempt to light a fire was smothered by snow falling off of the tree he tried to build the fire near. By this time he has lost all feeling and control of his outer limbs, and he starts to panic. Had he chosen to listen to...