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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. The protagonist wonders if Mercury felt as he does doing what in Part VI?

2. The protagonist begins to think that the old-timer was right about what after the snow falls and puts out his fire in Part V?

3. Mercury is often depicted holding what in his left hand?

4. Which word from Part IV means situated at some distance away?

5. To Build a Fireis considered to be a reflection of Jack London’s own experiences where?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the protagonist envision of his family in Part VI? How does he envision the old-timer?

2. What does fire symbolize in the story? What message does the author convey through this symbol?

3. What is the first mental image that overtakes the protagonist as he dies in Part VI?

4. How does the protagonist respond after falling through the ice in Part IV? What happens when he falls?

5. What does the protagonist do after his fire is extinguished in Part V? What danger does he face?

6. What does the dog do as the protagonist attempts to build his second fire in Part V? What obstacle does the protagonist face in getting the tinder going?

7. How does the protagonist go about building a fire after his fall in Part IV?

8. How does the narrator describe the protagonist’s journey when he departs from lunch in Part IV?

9. How does the protagonist react when the fire is extinguished in Part V?

10. Why does the dog do as the protagonist fades from existence in Part VI?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

According to the story, the "trouble" with the man is that he is "without imagination" and therefore never speculates about "man's place in the universe," his "frailty in general," or the fact that people are "able only to live within certain narrow limits of temperature." What is the result of this weakness in the story’s plot? Does the man reach any form of enlightenment through his travails?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss the theme of “Survival in the Wilderness” in To Build A Fire.What symbolism and imagery is used to reinforce this theme? How is the theme illustrated through the characters of the man and the dog?

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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