Journal 25: Jack London

Michelle Romero
Eng. 48B
Dr. Scott Lankford

"To Build a Fire," by Jack London
"The trouble with him was that he was without imagination. He was quick and alert in the things of life, but only in the things, and not in the significances."

I love this quote, it is so critical of a man's reasoning. Especially in American society, because we are a low-context society communication wise, we (or our founding "fathers") have engrained in our thinking that everything must be written down, codified, or expressed in facts and figures. That is one of the reasons women are taken less seriously; men seem to know so much and can explain it with science and reason, while women are too sensitive or have too many emotions. In "The Yellow Wallpaper" for example, Jane's husband John does not take her seriously and often brushes her off like a child with a little pat on the head. She on the other hand has these strong feelings that something is not right about the house.

In this story, London makes man's reasoning appear to be ridiculous by comparing the man’s judgment to the dog’s knowledge. For example, the man KNOWS it is freezing, but he doesn’t understand then the importance of building a fire or doing something at least to survive. The dog on the other hand does.

"Its instincts told it a truer tale than was told to the man by the man's judgment." pg. 978.

I see the dog in London' s story paralleling the women in other stories we have read. Both are ignored despite many efforts to warn or persuade the man and both are the companion to the man.

It is good to note that the dog does feel or sense that something is wrong, it is too cold, and tries to move the man to action. If the man had listened, he may still be alive. It is also noteworthy, that the dog relies on the man to act for the survival of both of them. Bear with me for a moment while I try to explain....

If we consider that the dog is the female character in other stories, then London is suggesting that man not only needs to heed the advice of the intuitive woman, but also that woman needs man just the same. This even goes back to the Bible if we want to go that route since it says that Eve was created to be a "suitable helper" to Adam. What do you know, man needs help. :)

Anyway, more support of this idea comes at the end when the dog walks off after the man has died, to find the camp he knew, "where were the other food-providers and fire-providers." pg. 987. It is kind of like a food and shelter concept, that the man is the provider and that the woman belongs at his side.

I'm still thinking this one over...