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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. After falling through the ice, the protagonist believes this mishap will delay him for how long in reaching his destination?

2. What kind of weapon does the protagonist carry?

3. The protagonist recalls the tale of a man who was caught in a blizzard and killed what before climbing into the carcass in Part V?

4. What are the shoes called that the protagonist wears in the narrative?

5. In order to build a fire, the protagonist must do what in Part IV?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does the protagonist eventually re-gather the matches in Part V?

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

5. How does the protagonist’s body respond when he begins to build a fire after falling through the ice in Part IV?

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

7. Is the protagonist aware of the danger he is in after falling through the ice? What is the danger?

8. 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?

9. How does the protagonist regain the feeling of his fingers in Part V?What happens when he goes to light a match?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Define character action, objective, and obstacle in literature, and analyze the actions and obstacles of the protagonist in Parts I and II. How does the protagonist act in the face of the obstacle of the springs? What is the protagonist’s objective at the beginning of the story? What obstacles stand in his way? How does he overcome each of these obstacles?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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