How To Build A Fire Naturalism

“To Build a Fire” is a short story by Jack London that was set in the nineteenth century upon the frigid Yukon trail. London’s story is about a man who takes on the almost impossible weather of the Yukon trail facing life threatening climate conditions. Naturalism is defined as “the belief that matter is all that exists and ever will exist” (McClendon). The theory of naturalism is often used in writing that deals with nature or personal experiences to illustrate that humans are on their own. In the short story “To Build a Fire,” the theory of naturalism is shown when the man goes against nature on his own, the characters lack of responsibility which affects the characters actions, and through the pessimistic tone in the story.

Man against nature

With the man’s second attempt at a fire, he built it under a pine tree. With all surrounding objects coated in snow, “it was his own fault” but much less “his mistake” as for the snow fell from the pine tree putting the fire out (London, 72-73). Nonetheless, he ought to have expected his actions, such as placing his fire directly under a pine tree, resulted poorly as for the little heat he had was taken by the fallen snow. London amending his actions from "fault" to "mistake" proposes the hazy area in the man's obligation; while he ought to have foreseen the consequences of his actions, and in this manner be held at risk, he didn't, so he is then said to be irresponsible. With this man in the killing cold, he was illustrated as to be “shocked,” which is an understandable statement to the readers because his only heat was taken; but, then the author stated the man “sat and stared” and then was “very calm” (London, 73). Though this is how most would be if this situation, the author shows it it as a sign of weakness. At this point in the story, this man is about to lose his fingers and his toes so sitting and staring shows that he is not in his right mind. Therefore, on the naturalistic side of this, he was not the one that was fully responsible for the snow falling and putting out the fire. His “mistake” is out of his control whereas if it was his “fault,” then it would be his moral responsibility for the