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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In literature, what refers to the struggle occurring within a character's mind?

2. The day is described as having broken exceedingly how in the opening of To Build a Fire?

3. What does the narrator refer to the protagonist in the story as?

4. At what pace has the protagonist been making his journey when he looks at his watch at 10:00 a.m. in Part II?

5. What refers to related series of incidents in a literary plot that build toward the point of greatest interest?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the point of view of the narrative in To Build a Fire?

2. Where is the protagonist traveling in the story? What supplies does he carry?

3. When and where was Jack London born? Who were his parents?

4. What does the dog do after falling through the ice in Part II? How does the protagonist help?

5. What danger does the protagonist encounter at Henderson Creek in Part II?

6. What role does the old-timer play in the narrative?

7. Why does the protagonist eat quickly when he stops for lunch in Part III?

8. How does the narrator describe the setting at noon in To Build a Fire? What is the protagonist’s state of mind at this time?

9. At what time does the story open?Who is present in the opening paragraphs of the story?

10. Where does the protagonist decide to eat lunch in the narrative? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In what ways does the protagonist in the story represent American individualism? What actions does the character take and how can these be seen to represent the American mindset of the 1880s? What do you think the author is saying about American values of his time?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the author and the publications of To Build A Fire. Where was Jack London from? How successful was he as an author during his lifetime? What differences exist between the two versions of the story?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the literary element of repetition in the narrative. What are examples of repetition in Parts I and II of To Build A Fire? Why does the author use repetition? How does London’s use of repetition help to develop the tone of the story?

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