Early in "To Build a Fire" London writes, "The animal was depressed by the tremendous cold. It knew that it was no time for travelling." This passage foreshadows possible trouble ahead - and you become alert for signs of difficulty.
"and yet there seemed an intangible pall over the face of things, a subtle gloom that made the day dark, and that was due to the absence of sun. "
"He was a newcomer in the land, a chechaquo, and this was his first winter. The trouble with him was that he was without imagination."
"There was a sharp, explosive crackle that startled him. He spat again. And again, in the air, before it could fall to the snow, the spittle crackled."
"The animal was depressed by the tremendous cold. It knew that it was no time for travelling."
"The dog dropped in again at his heels, with a tail drooping discouragement, as the man swung along the creek-bed."
1. Darkness in the day foreshadows that the man will suffer later.
2. The man was new to this land and prone to make mistakes.
3. His spit froze before it hit the ground. It was colder than -50. This guy is going to become a popsicle.
4. The Dog knows man is stupid. The man is heading for trouble.
5. Same as #4
Yep, I'd agree on that. Silly?
wrong story
