Final answer:
In Jack London's 'To Build a Fire,' the dog exhibits independent and autonomous behavior, responding to the harsh Yukon environment with instinctual awareness contrary to the man's naive perception of the cold.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dog's responses to the man in Jack London's “To Build a Fire” are best described as independent and autonomous. Throughout the story, we see the dog acting on its instinct, which is rooted in its heredity and understanding of the environment. Unlike the man who seems to lack respect for the Yukon's brutal conditions, the dog is more aware of the dangers of the extreme cold. The canine companion displays a yearning for fire, indicating its instinctive desire for warmth and safety. Moreover, the dog’s behavior towards the man is not out of affection but rather a learned response to the man’s command—indicative of its toilsome relationship with humans.
In depth, the dog obeys the man only when commands are given with the sound of whip-lashes, showing a dynamic that could be interpreted as subdued or servile, but the context suggests that it is more about survival and learned behavior than devotion. When it senses the man's death, the dog does not express loyalty or sorrow but rather a primal response to the scent of death, bristling and eventually leaving to find the other food-providers and fire-providers. This demonstrates its autonomy and survival instinct rather than aggression or hostility.
Ultimately, the dog's actions contrast starkly with the man's underestimation of the Yukon's harsh conditions. Its behaviors also reinforce London's theme of naturalism, where instinct and the environment trump human endeavor and understanding.