In to Build a fire how could the reader consider the setting as one of the story's characters?
You are assuming that we have read "To Build A Fire".
Sorry for the person above me rude response, but if you can at least how us the story then maybe we can help you?
btw im a girl
In "To Build a Fire" by Jack London, the setting is often considered as a character due to its significant influence on the events and the development of the story. The harsh and unforgiving setting of the Klondike region in Yukon, Canada, embodies nature's powerful and merciless forces, which ultimately shape the outcome of the story.
To understand how the setting functions as a character, let's examine the following aspects:
1. Harsh Weather Conditions: The frigid temperature of -50 degrees Fahrenheit and the biting winds serve as formidable adversaries for the protagonist. The extreme cold directly affects his physical well-being, making it hard for him to survive. The relentless weather creates tension and suspense, acting as a constant antagonist.
2. Remote and Isolated Environment: The vast, uninhabited wilderness isolates the protagonist from any form of civilization, leaving him solely reliant on his survival skills and judgment. This element contributes to his increasing vulnerability and adds a sense of loneliness and despair to the narrative.
3. Unpredictable Nature: The setting constantly provides challenges for the protagonist. The frozen landscape, with its treacherous and unstable terrain, makes every step a potential danger. The characters' interactions with the setting, such as breaking through the icy surface or avoiding dangerous areas, give the setting an active role within the story.
4. Symbolic Representation: The setting represents the overwhelming power and indifference of nature. It highlights the insignificance and fragility of human existence in the face of vast and unyielding natural forces. The protagonist's struggle against the setting serves as a metaphor for mankind's struggle against the indifferent forces of the universe.
By considering the setting as a character, the reader can better comprehend how it shapes the protagonist's actions, decisions, and ultimately, his fate. The unforgiving environment becomes an essential element in the story's narrative, generating tension and emphasizing the story's themes of survival, man versus nature, and the fragility of human life.