Name:________________________

English 10 –
“To Build A Fire” Questions
Crossroads, p. 99

Prereading

1. Now that we’ve had our “short” short story, it’s time for a long one. This story is a good example of a
character’s hubris, or “excessive pride or arrogance that ultimately leads to the transgressor’s ruin”.

2. Pay careful attention to the descriptions of the protagonist – how does his hubris lead to his eventual
downfall?

Reading

1. What is the setting of this story? Give specific descriptions of the time and place.

2. List 3 character traits that the author tells us about the man in the exposition.

3. Does the man seem worried about his situation? Does the author think he should be worried? Why?

4. Is the dog worried? What does it think the man should do?

5. Why does the author make such a big deal over the fact that the man has no imagination?

6. How does the phrase “This man did not know cold” on p. 105 have two possible meanings at this point in the
story?

7. What is the relationship between the dog and the man?

8. Why is it so important that the man dry his wet feet off immediately?

9. What advice did the Sulphur Creek old-timer give the man? Has he followed it? Why or why not?

10. Why does the second fire go out? What does this mean for the man?

11. How does the man “know” the cold by the end of the story?

12. Where does the dog go at the end of the story, and how is this ironic?

Reflection

1. We have all at one time or another felt that something bad can’t happen to us, simply because we can’t
imagine it doing so. Why is it so important to realize how dangerous this can be?

2. A series of unfortunate events leads to the death of the man. In a group of 3-4, make a list of at least 5 things
he could have done differently to better prepare himself for his little walk in the snow.