Question

How are the landscape and setting of the story described in Jack London's "To Build a Fire"?

1) They are described as cold and sunny.
2) They are described as treeless and gray.
3) They are described as desolate and rainy.
4) They are described as cold and dark.

Answer 1

In Jack London's "To Build a Fire," the setting is described as cold and dark, highlighting the harsh and unforgiving nature of the landscape that poses a challenge to the protagonist's survival. Option 4.

Step-by-step explanation:

The vivid description of the setting in Jack London's short story To Build a Fire plays a crucial role in establishing the atmosphere and the challenges faced by the protagonist. In the provided passage, the landscape and setting are depicted as cold and hostile.

The narrative begins by illustrating the day as cold and grey, emphasizing the extreme and unforgiving conditions the character is venturing into. The landscape is described as an unbroken white of snow covering the ice, reflecting a sense of desolation and the sheer power of nature's grasp on the land.

There is mention of a dim and little-travelled trail and an intangible pall that hangs over the land, giving the impression of darkness despite the absence of clouds. The description serves to heighten the naturalistic elements of the story, showcasing nature as an indifferent force against which the man is pitted in his struggle for survival.

The answer to the student's question lies in the verbal imagery London uses, which best corresponds to option 4) They are described as cold and dark.