To Build a Fire

In what ways does the setting act as an antagonist to the man?

Cite evidence from the story.

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Jack London loved to write stories about the wilderness. Nature had her own rhythms and personality. The setting for this story is the unforgiving Yukon winter. Nature demands the respect of this man. He needs to know when to stop travelling after being warned through the elements. The setting thus becomes an antagonist to the man. The man gets wet and he is forced to take action to save himself. Still the man continues and eventually freezes to death in the unrelenting cold. The setting shows no pity or menace to the man; nature's shows indifference to the man’s folly.