Question

the short story to build a fire is a harrowing account of a man and a dog as they attempt to survive in the unforgiving conditions of the yukon. the themes ofman versus nature and human arrogance versus animal instinct are explored, as the protagonist attempts to light fires in conditions not fit for human survival. meanwhile, his furry companion looks upon the man with curiosity and bewilderment. answer in complete sentences using blue color. 1. why did the sun not appear even though it was daytime? based on his location and season, the sun would not rise for some hours because it was in alaska and it was winter time. 2. how would you categorize the mans frame of mind as he stopped to eat lunch? how would you describe his assessment of his situation at that stage? 3. when the dog fell through the ice, the man went to great lengths to help the dog. how did his compassion for the animal change later in the story? 4. the man had no problem building the first fire. at this point, did you think they would make it to camp safely by morning, around noon, or nightfall? what clues support your answer? 5. after the man broke through, he cursed at the thought of losing an hour of travel time. now how would you describe his assessment of his danger? 6. what does the vocabulary word flotsam mean? 7. after the second fire was doused by the tree collapse, the dog began to look quizzically at the man. how would you describe the bond between the dog and man now? did their feelings toward each other change, and how did they view one another now?

Explanation:

1. The story is set in Alaska in winter where the sun may not rise for hours.
2. Analyze the man's actions and thoughts during lunch - he might be over - confident or naive about his situation.
3. Track the man's treatment of the dog as the story progresses, noting any shifts from initial compassion.
4. Consider the man's progress, weather conditions, and time of day to predict if they'll reach camp safely.
5. His cursing indicates his focus on time rather than immediate danger, showing a miscalculation of his peril.
6. 'Flotsam' generally means debris floating on water or washed ashore.
7. Examine the dog's quizzical look and the man's state to understand the change in their bond.

Answer:

1. In Alaska during winter, the sun may not rise for hours even during what would be daytime in other locations.
2. He may have seemed over - confident, perhaps not fully grasping the severity of his situation as he casually stopped for lunch.
3. His compassion waned as his own survival became more precarious, and he started to view the dog more as a means to an end.
4. It seems unlikely they would make it by morning due to the harsh conditions and setbacks. By noon also seems difficult given the challenges faced. Nightfall might be a more realistic but still uncertain goal if they can overcome remaining obstacles. Clues include the cold, the man's repeated failures to keep warm, and the time already lost.
5. He was more concerned about the time lost than the immediate danger to his life, indicating a misjudgment of his peril.
6. 'Flotsam' refers to debris that is floating on or has been washed ashore from the sea or a river.
7. The bond seemed strained. The dog was confused by the man's inability to keep them safe, and the man was likely frustrated and desperate, viewing the dog differently than before.