To Build A Fire, By Jack London

In Jack London's short story, “To Build a Fire,” it gives a great example on Naturalism and how

It hints at real life. To Build a Fire is the devastating story of a man who chooses to journey alone through the dangerous terrain of the Yukon in below-freezing temperatures and perishes at the hands of nature's ruthless and unforgiving power. Naturalism is characterized by being viewed as an indifferent force acting on the lives of human beings, Focusing on the futile attempts of human beings to exercise free will, and External pressures that threaten to release “the brute within”. The first characteristic of Naturalism London incorporates into “To Build a Fire” is nature viewed as an indifferent force acting on the lives of human beings. Before

First, the main character in the story is not named because he is to represent all of mankind. Nature is more powerful than humanity because of man’s ignorance and disregard for Nature’s powerful force. Another tenet London incorporates into his story is the focus on the futile attempts of human beings to exercise free will. The man becomes cold and tried to build a fire, and ends up making a terrible mistake costing his life. “It was his own fault or, rather, his mistake. He should not have built the fire under the spruce tree. He should have built it in the open” (London.). This quote represents how the man used free will and made a mistake costing his life. If he had not tried to make a fire under a tree with snow in it, he would still be alive. Man is able to make his own decisions; however, Nature is there to remind man that he is not powerful. The last tenet London adds into his story is external pressures that threaten to release “the brute within”. This means to do anything for survival. When the man realizes that his hands are too cold to make a fire, He thinks about cutting open his dog to warm up his hands and feet. “. He would kill the dog and