Setting

The short story “To Build a Fire” by Jack London is set probably around the beginning of the twentieth century (the first publishing date is 1902) in an area called Yukon Territory, which is bordering Canada and Alaska, and the events spread over the course of a winter’s day.

Physical setting

Given that the story belongs to the literary movement called Naturalism, which focuses on the relationship and conflicts between man and nature, the physical setting plays a very important role in the short story.

The physical setting is represented by the trail to the camp where the man’s associates are. All through the story, the author provides detailed descriptions of the natural setting.

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Social setting

Given that the story features a one-man character in natural surroundings, the social setting is less relevant.

However, the man’s attitude towards nature and the advice of the old man indicate society’s tendency to disregard the power of nature as men feel more in control, and also to disregard folk knowledge and teachings about nature (represented by the old-man).

Furthermore, if we focus on the relationship between the man and his dog, then the social setting illustrates a dysfunctional...

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