Question

What causes the hunters, who had promised to keep the fire burning, to neglect it and allow it to go out?

A. They become more interested in trying to build a canoe.
B. They are becoming more savage, and can only think about hunting.
C. They think that the other boys will get over their fear of the dark better if there is no light at all for a few nights.
D. They are inexperienced and don't really know how to keep it burning.

Answer 1

The hunters neglect the fire due to a growing savagery and obsession with hunting, signaling a descent into barbarism and a pivotal shift in their psyche away from civilized norms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The hunters in the story neglect their duty to keep the fire burning, not due to their lack of experience or diversion to other tasks, but because they become more savage, and their obsessive focus on hunting overtakes their sense of responsibility. This shift toward savagery indicates a deeper change occurring within them that is tied to the core themes of the novel they are part of. The fire's symbolism is potent—it represents hope, civilization, and the possibility of rescue. When the hunters allow it to die out, it signifies a loss of societal norms and a descent into barbarism, as their primal instincts prevail over civilized behavior. This not only jeopardizes their chances of being found but also marks a turning point in their transformation from disciplined individuals to unrestrained savages, more concerned with the pursuit of hunting than the well-being and safekeeping of the group.