“To Build a Fire” Reader Response
In To “Build a Fire” the narrator talks about the struggle to survive in the blistering cold. He explains the struggles that are endured throughout the journey all the way up until the last moments of the man's life. He lays out all the discouraging moments in sequence one after another along with the constant fight to make it through his endeavors. The story begins by introducing the man and his dog. The two were on a trip to meet up with the man's friends who had already made it to site where they planned in setting in for the night.
It is extremely cold in the Ucon, but more so at this time of the year seeing that it is dark day round for the days at a time. “However, there seemed to be an indescribable darkness over the face of things. That was because the sun was absent from the sky The sun slightly peaks over the mountains for maybe a couple hours of the day”. This tells us not just the physical setting but also the unmotivating mindset or psyche that a person can be slung into if they are not strong willed. They traveled along a frozen stream that would lead them directly to their destination. The man had to be very careful walking on top of the snow covered ice because in some parts the ice runs thin because of flowing water underneath.
As the two progressed the man's cautiousness began to fade. Eventually it happened, he cracked the ice and slipped knee deep into icy water. He then has to put the voyage on a halt to build a fire and dry himself, boots and clothes. He manages to build the fire successfully after bringing feeling back to his numbed hands. He then leans back against a tree as the fire begins to warm he and the dog. As he leans back he releases the snow being held by the tree branches. The large amount of snow that dropped was enough to completely seduce the fire. He then tries to rebuild the fire but while trying to do so his singers become too cold and numb