Reading Response Week Duo

I really liked "To Build a Fire" as I am partial to the "man versus nature" story lines. I thought it was interesting that the title sounded like an instruction set, and the story itself was kind of like a what to do in the wild (or what not to do since he died). I was really frustrated with the main character and his lack of instinct and intelligence, which could be influenced by the fact that I am a hiker too. He underestimates the cold, he doesn't listen to advice, he doesn't care that no one else has been on this trail lately. That was then contrasted by the dog, who knows to bite at the ice on his toes and to avoid the spring, and also knows what to do when the man dies. It is almost like Jack London is saying that man is not equipped to handle nature because we lack animal instinct. I think this was a more factual thing then a judgmental thing. Since Jack London doesn't use any names for the man or the dog, this is more of a universal story and we will all die if we try to take on nature. Little depressing, but I can't help but agree.