To Build a Fire

3. The tremendous cold “makes no impression” on the man because he was a newcomer in the land, a chechaquo, and it was his first winter. Also, the man does not think of the infinite number of possible events that could occur that he has not included in his simple journey. He doesn’t take the advice of the old-timer in regard to traveling alone. He ignores the fact that the temperature could be lower than fifty degrees zero.

4. The dog’s awareness of the cold is different from the man’s awareness because the dog had instinct. The dog immediately looked at the man as if the dog wanted him to build a fire or seek shelter with him somewhere. The dog knew that fire would save them or at least stop the man from losing fingers and toes. The man didn’t have this same instinct.

5. The “traps” that the man is careful to avoid are the dee...