To Build a Fire

To Build a Fire

            Despite how intellectual the human brain is, maybe no amount of book smarts will ever be able to outwit instinct. Author Jack London suggests this is mans fatal flaw. In the short story, “To Build a Fire” by Jack London this fatal flaw evolves into a larger issue(6) for the main character, struggling to survive in the harsh, bitter(11) winter. His mind, which is protecting him from the brutal reality of death, tricks him otherwise. The story shows(10) a constant battle of Man vs. Nature, and the strengths of man’s instinct to compete for survival against the cold.(6)

            Mind over matter is a bold aspect(11) for every human being.  Ones mind(10) can be restricted(11) to a certain degree in which in some cases, you’ve lost all control.. In times of the worst, this is when your mind functions best. The character in the book, being a male, has the basic mindset of survival. Creating sufficient tools or creations that will help him in the long run, will distract his mind for only a minimal amount of time. What (11) the character is ignorant of is that there might not be a long run, he cannot just only center his mind on ways to stay warm or ways to eat, but ways to survive overall (5), ways to live and to proceed with his life.

 Going into denial can be one of the worst things a humans mind can do. It is hard for people to focus on what the reality of a situation is, and move forward to help the situation by thinking in a clear manner. Although it is hard to think clearly when your body is failing, it is the key to survival. This is why the flaw of instinct of mankind, can be so fatal.