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Question
With close reference to the short story, To Build a Fire, discuss how the Man's lack of imagination led to his paralysing death while the dog's primitive instincts helped him to survive.
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Solution
In the short story "To Build a Fire" by Jack London, the central character, an unnamed man, embarks on a journey with his wolf-dog through the frozen Yukon Wilderness. Unfortunately, the man's demise results from his excessive self-assurance and failure to envision the dire circumstances, contrasting sharply with the dog's survival based on primitive instincts.
The absence of imagination in the man is apparent from the story's outset. He disregards the perilous weather conditions he is bound to encounter, dismissing the warnings of the old-timer and obstinately relying on misplaced confidence to conquer the extreme cold. Even the dog's evident unease, signaling impending danger, goes unnoticed. The man neglects essential precautions, such as building a fire, and fails to prepare when faced with an emergency.
As the man proceeds, a series of errors stemming from his lack of imagination unfolds. Ignoring the dog's warning, he falls into a creek, soaking his feet and placing himself in a life-threatening situation. Despite last-minute efforts, he struggles to build a warming fire and ultimately succumbs to death.
In contrast, the dog's reliance on primitive instincts enables it to adapt to changing circumstances. Recognizing the man's demise, the dog instinctively understands the necessity to return to the base camp, where food and fire are available. This quick thinking ensures the dog's survival, highlighting the man's fatal outcome due to his failure of imagination.
The narrative underscores the significance of imagination, thoughtfulness, and adaptability for survival in extreme conditions. While the man's lack of imagination leads to his premature death, the dog's instinctive actions spare it from a similar fate. The story serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the need to respect the formidable power of nature.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
Answer the following with reference to the story.
“I wouldn’t throw it away.”
- Who says these words?
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- What is it being compared with by the speaker?
Thinking about the Text
Given below are some emotions that Kezia felt. Match the emotions in Column A with
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| A | B |
| 1. Fear or terror | (i) Father comes into her room to give her a goodbye kiss |
| 2. glad sense of relief | (ii) Noise of the carriage grows fainter |
| 3. a “funny” feeling, perhaps of understanding |
(iii) Father comes home |
| (iv) Speaking to father | |
| (v) Going to bed when alone at home | |
| (vi) Father comforts her and falls asleep | |
| (vii) Father stretched out on the safa. snoring |
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Read the extract given below and answer the question that follow.
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Its a cruel thing to leave her so.”
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For a little while the man stood with a puzzled air; then he turned back, and went into the hovel again. Maggie with painful effort, had raised herself to an upright position and was sitting on the bed, straining her eyes upon the door out of which all had just departed, A vague terror had come into her thin white face.
“O, Mr. Thompson!” she cried out, catching her suspended breath, “don’t leave me here all alone!” ,
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Read the extract given below and answer the question that follow.
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Why does the writer mention the blue bead at the same time that the crocodile is introduced?
Ans. The author mentions the blue bead at the same time that the crocodile is introduced to create suspense and a foreshadowing of the events’to happen.
Read the extract given below and answer the question that follow.
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Read the extract given below and answer the question that follow.
Why did Owens kick the pit in disgust?
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Multiple Choice Question:
Where can we see beauty?
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Match the word with its meanings below.
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- tip the water out of the bucket – the ends of one’s fingers
- have something on the tip of your tongue – give a rupee to him, to thank him
- tip the boat over-empty a bucket by tilting it
- tip him a rupee-the pointed end of your nose
- the tip of the bat – if you take this advice
- the police were tipped off – the bat lightly touched the ball
- if you take my tip – the end of the bat
- the bat tipped the ball – the police were told or warned
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Gratiano explains, "We are the Jasons, we have won the fleeee." In this context the word 'fleeee' refers to ______.
Who asks permission to speak at Caesar’s funeral?
