Life, love and literature

I used to teach a short story called “To Build a Fire” by Jack London. I am sure that most of you have read THE CALL OF THE WILD or WHITE FANG or perhaps seen movies made from the books. London lived for a time in the Yukon Territory and wrote several short stories set there. The man in this story was a newcomer to the territory. He wanted to visit another camp so he set out on a journey with his dog. London prepares the reader early on for this newcomer’s mistakes that could possibly prove fatal! He tells the reader that the man’s chief character flaw was that he lacked imagination. The temperature that day was the equivalent of 75 degrees below. He had previously been advised never to travel alone when it was that cold. London illustrates the cold by having the man’s spit freeze immediately after it left his mouth in midair. He accidentally breaks through some ice which requires building a fire to try to dry his body and get warm. He builds the fire underneath a snow laden tree and has warmth for a few minutes, but the wind blows the snow onto the fire and puts out the flame. He begins to try once again to build a fire, but his hands are so clumsy with the cold that he uses up all of his matches and no fire. In desperation, he tries to coax his dog closer so he can actually kill it and put his hands inside the dog to thaw them out! By this time, the reader realizes that he is not going to make his destination! The dog senses that something isn’t right and moves on to look for warmth! I tried to illustrate life situations where one should use his imagination-I asked the class if anyone would ever purposely drive 100 miles an hour at a brick wall. Of course, they all said no. So many times people will not take advice from others who have experienced life. I believe we need to heed some warnings!