Final answer:
In the passage from 'To Build a Fire,' the snow extinguishes the man's fire, necessitating him to build a new one to survive. This highlights his survival instinct and human vulnerability in extreme wilderness conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the passage from 'To Build a Fire,' we can infer that the snow puts out the man's fire (c). After his initial reaction to the extinguished fire, the man realizes he must build a new fire (d). The need to start the fire again underlines the man's instinct for survival (b), as he is aware of the deadly consequences of not having a fire in such extreme cold conditions. The snow falling on the man and the fire (a) is explicitly stated, triggering the sequence of his survival efforts.
The man's struggle for survival is exemplified by his need to build a fire, his realization of the importance of companionship in the deadly Yukon cold, and his efforts to rectify his mistake of building the fire under a tree laden with snow. Despite initial confidence in his abilities, the man's situation demonstrates the unforgiving nature of the Yukon wilderness and the vulnerability of humans in the face of nature's might.