...Concept of Naturalism in “To Build a Fire” In literature, naturalism has some fundamental characteristics. The plot involves man against nature and the burden of survival requires either adaptation or destruction of the characters involved. In this style of writing, nature or the natural world is continuously pushing man to his limits. When man heeds the warning signs, he may conquer it. But, when he ignores these warnings, it will defeat him. Naturalism is a general understanding of reality and humanity’s place with reality. It mirrors the events of daily life and shows how humans have to be careful when dealing with the natural world. In naturalism, nature is always waiting for man to make a mistake. Jack London in “To Build a Fire” focuses on the idea that nature is indifferent to man. He shows how violent and uncaring nature is. This short story features an unnamed man and his dog venturing into the Alaskan wilderness in the middle of winter. “To Build a Fire” is a short story that illustrates the concept of naturalism and how the natural world, which is dangerous, will gain the upper hand and man will perish. In Jack London’s “To Build a Fire”, the narrator makes it clear that the “unnamed” man is in a dangerous situation with the elements. The man is facing weather seventy-five degrees below zero and he is not prepared to survive. Jack London writes that the cold, “did not lead him to meditate upon his frailty as a creature of temperature, and upon man’s frailty...
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...Jack London, the author of “To Build A Fire,” uses scientific realism in his writing, which was influenced by European writers during the nineteenth century. Emile Zola heavily influenced Jack London for his short story, “To Build A Fire.” Zola explains the meaning of reality through the use of scientific determinism. Jack London worked in the Klondike, Yukon, which inspired him to write not only “To Build A Fire,” but also “The Call of the Wild,” “Martin Eden,” and “White Fang.” Survival plays a major role in “To Build A Fire,” as Jack London tells the story of an inexperienced young man versus extreme weather conditions in the Klondike, Yukon. In “To Build A Fire” by Jack London, there is a continuous conflict of man versus nature, in which...
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...‘To Build a Fire” Jack London’s short story, “To Build a Fire,” takes place during a harsh winter in the forest of Alaska. This story is about a courageous but stubborn man who decides to confront the mighty forces of nature. This man takes a journey that not many would have taken, with a husky dog as his only companion. As he travels through the rough landscape of Alaska, he faces many natural obstacles. Facing these barriers make him more aware about reality about challenging the forces of nature, a challenge that in many times becomes a matter of life or death. Throughout the story the main character is not given a name, he is simply known as the “Man.” A hardheaded newcomer to the coniferous forest of Alaska; a man who thinks he knows it all, but is about to come in contact with the worst weather he has ever had to face. The man’s lack of experience led him to his downfall. As his journey began he went into the trail not well prepared, because of the low temperatures a face mask was well needed and he did not bother to wear one. “He does not recognize that man is so finial that the bitterly cold Alaskan inevitably destroys the individual” (McClintock 355). The man had trouble understanding that Nature was something that can never be fought against, but still his machismo personality set in and he was not going to back down from it. Fifty degrees below zero meant nothing to him, he knew it was going to be cold and uncomfortable, and that was it. It did not lead him to...
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...Abstract This essay is a literary analysis of Jack London’s “To Build a Fire.” Jack London has set before us a story of survival and pride. Although the main theme of man against nature is very clear to the reader, it is through the eyes of the traveler and the thoughts of the dog traveling that with him that we begin to see just how frail humans are. The newcomer to the Yukon is ill prepared for what lays before him. Never Travel Alone Jack London “To Build a Fire” There is a thin line between life and death. Our own fate truly lies in our own hands. We can choose to close our eyes and blindly push forward or open our eyes and see the dangers that lie ahead. Our traveler in this story blindly pushed forward. A newcomer to the Yukon, he was headed to a camp about ten hours away by foot to meet the “boys”. “Day had broken cold and gray, exceedingly cold and gray” (p. 518). This was the first warning our traveler ignored. A foreshadowing of what is to come. In the deep of the winter where the days are extremely cold, an old-timer to the Yukon warned the man, never travel alone and to never travel when the temperature was fifty degrees below zero. The man thinking he knew more than the old-timer chose to ignore the danger, his mind empty of all but one thought - reaching the camp by 6pm. Spitting into the air his spittle froze and cracked before hitting the ground, a clear sign that the temperature was much colder than fifty degrees below zero. ...
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...determinism” creating novels and stories that are driven by the forces that rule human lives. To the naturalist, man always succumbs to nature, because he has no control over it. Naturalistic writers use their characters, plots, and settings to portray their worldview that man is controlled by natural forces that dictate his destiny and no matter how hard man tried to fight against it, nature is indifferent to man’s tribulation and will always win because man is weaker. Jack London wrote, “To Build a Fire” a literary work of naturalism. London’s main character is never named, but is referred to as ‘the man.’ The man is travelling in the Yukon alone with his husky dog on a day where the weather is 50 degrees below zero. The man was warned by an old timer at Sulpher Creek not to travel alone on a day like this because it is far too dangerous. Against the old timer’s advice, the man sets out for the freezing trail ahead without human company. Throughout the story, London reiterates that although the man is blind to his human weaknesses, his canine companion is in tune with his natural wolf instincts and understands that they are not able to travel against the subzero weather. The dog tries to stay at the fire and turn back several times, but regardless of the multiple warnings given, the man continues to travel on the icy terrain. London uses the man’s recalcitrance against the old timer and the dog to develop his naturalistic worldview saying, “He was quick and alert in the things...
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...jelly it was revealed that acid rain may be causing lakes in eastern Canada to turn to jelly and trouble the fish life which made it hard to fishers to make a living. In the book excerpt “ Countdown Acid”, it was recorded that normal rain also holds very small amounts of acid particles in it, but none that can harm or damage anything. The story “ To build a fire” by Jack London from Literature for composition, London discusses that modern needs for man had turned humans into selfish people taking advantage of nature. The story “Butterflies” by Patricia Grace from Literature for Composition, Grace displays a message that we don’t really know what really happens to animals or nature until we experience it happen. The article “Now or Never” by Bill McKibben from Literature for Composition, McGibben emphasizes that global warming is getting stronger when carbon dioxide or other gases are emitted into the atmosphere. Conclusion: I believe it is literally impossible to control acid rain if addressed to the public, the only way to maybe stop it is if we can convince the public to force political figures to take actions to control how wastes are released by industries. Acid rain is one of the most dangerous...
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...In 1836, Emerson wrote narratives that use analogies to link the concept that nature and an individual’s soul must exist in harmony. The soul and nature are not the same, but they are structurally analogous. Nature is created by God and man’s connection to nature effects the mind and soul of man. Emerson states, “So shall we come to look at the world with new eyes”(Emerson, Myer and Bosco p.68) The beauty of nature arouses the emotions within us, because there is something emotional in nature. He states “I become a transparent eye-ball; I am nothing; I see all; the currents of the Universal Being circulate through me; I am part or particle of God” (Emerson, Myer, and Bosco p.37). There is an analogy that uses reason from the seen to the unseen as proof of God’s existence. Transformation of the soul is through nature and ones connection to the universe. The inspiration and fulfillment of human life is derived from nature. The analogy is that man comes to understand himself through a higher level of spirituality, and to obtain it one must be a nonconformist and individualist. He states, “To go into solitude” (Emerson, Myers, and Bosco p.35), a man must get away from society in order to interact directly with God. ...
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...ambitious politician, driven by his sexual appetites and his lust for power, but he occasionally shows signs of guilt and human feeling—his love for Gertrude, for instance, seems sincere. Gertrude - The Queen of Denmark, Hamlet’s mother, recently married to Claudius. Gertrude loves Hamlet deeply, but she is a shallow, weak woman who seeks affection and status more urgently than moral rectitude or truth. Polonius - The Lord Chamberlain of Claudius’s court, a pompous, conniving old man. Polonius is the father of Laertes and Ophelia. Ophelia - Polonius’s daughter, a beautiful young woman with whom Hamlet has been in love. Ophelia is a sweet and innocent young girl, who obeys her father and her brother, Laertes. Dependent on men to tell her how to behave, she gives in to Polonius’s schemes to spy on Hamlet....
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...Summary — Chapter I. I am born An older David Copperfield narrates the story of his life. He begins by saying that only the writing that follows can tell who the hero of his story is. He tells of his simple birth, which occurred at the stroke of midnight on a Friday night. An old woman in the neighborhood has told him that the time of his birth indicates he will be unlucky and will be able to see ghosts and spirits. David’s father is already dead when David is born. David’s aunt, Miss Betsey Trotwood, appears on the day of David’s birth and speaks with David’s mother, Clara. Miss Betsey informs Clara that she intends to take custody of the girl Clara is about to bear. Miss Betsey wishes to raise the girl so that men never take advantage of her the way Miss Betsey has been taken advantage of in her own life. When David is born and Mr. Chillip, the doctor, informs Miss Betsey that Clara has had a boy, Miss Betsey storms out of the house and never returns. Summary — Chapter II. I Observe. David’s earliest memories are of his mother’s hair and his nurse, Clara Peggotty, who has very dark eyes. He remembers the kitchen and the backyard, with the roosters that frightened him and the churchyard behind the house, where his father is buried. Both David and his mother submit themselves to Peggotty’s kind direction. In particular, David recalls one occasion when he sits up late reading a book about crocodiles to Peggotty while waiting for his mother to return home from an...
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...Masaryk University Faculty of Arts Department of English and American Studies English Language and Literature Lenka Drbalová Comedy of Manners: William Congreve and Oscar Wilde Bachelor’s Diploma Thesis Supervisor: prof. Mgr. Milada Franková, CSc., M.A. 2014 I declare that I have worked on this thesis independently, using only the primary and secondary sources listed in the bibliography. …………………………………………….. Author’s signature Acknowledgement I would like to thank prof. Mgr Franková , CSc., M.A. and PhDr. Věra Pálenská, CSc. for their guidance, advice and kind encouragement. Table of Contents Preface ...............................................................................................2 Introduction ......................................................................................3 Chapter I – The Way of the World 1.1 In General ..................................................................................8 1.2 True Wit and False Wit ............................................................9 1.3 Courtship and Love .................................................................14 1.4 Invention vs. Reality ................................................................18 Chapter II – The Importance of Being Earnest 2.1 In General ................................................................................22 2.2 True Wit and False Wit ..........................................................23 2.3 Courtship...
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...all children. Reporting of injuries, Diseases and Dangerous occurrences Regulations 1995 RIDDOR Reporting accidents and ill health at work is a legal requirement. Passing on this information enables the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities, to identify where and how risks arise, and to investigate serious accidents. They are then able to help practitioners with these statuses and provide advice on how to reduce emergencies ,accidents and ill health in the Early Years setting. Control of substances and Hazardous to health Regulations COSSH 1994 control hazardous substances in the setting set by a simple framework. This then prevents Illness to employees and children in a setting. Fire precautions Regulations 1997 The premises must be checked by fire officers before the start of the first term, this gives them a chance to be able to advise the employers what is needed to make the setting as safe as possible. In the setting there must be a practised fire drill where children and staff take responsibility and follow procedures to evacuate the building safely through allocated exits and this should be taken seriously and treated as if it was a real drill. Fire extinguishers must also be checked regularly in the setting. Data protection Act 1998...
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...introduction introduces students to the main theories in international relations. It explains and analyzes each theory, allowing students to understand and critically engage with the myths and assumptions behind each theory. Key features of this textbook include: • discussion of all of the main theories: realism and (neo)realism, idealism and (neo)idealism, liberalism, constructivism, postmodernism, gender, and globalization two new chapters on the “clash of civilizations” and Hardt and Negri’s Empire innovative use of narratives from films that students will be familiar with: Lord of the Flies, Independence Day, Wag the Dog, Fatal Attraction, The Truman Show, East is East, and Memento an accessible and exciting writing style which is well-illustrated with boxed key concepts and guides to further reading. • • • This breakthrough textbook has been designed to unravel the complexities of international relations theory in a way that allows students a clearer idea of how the theories work and the myths that are associated with them. Cynthia Weber is Professor of International Studies at the University of Lancaster. She is the author of several books and numerous articles in the field of international relations. International Relations Theory A critical introduction Second edition Cynthia Weber First published 2001 by Routledge Second edition published 2005 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada...
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...Reading the Novel in English 1950–2000 i RTNA01 1 13/6/05, 5:28 PM READING THE NOVEL General Editor: Daniel R. Schwarz The aim of this series is to provide practical introductions to reading the novel in both the British and Irish, and the American traditions. Published Reading the Modern British and Irish Novel 1890–1930 Reading the Novel in English 1950–2000 Daniel R. Schwarz Brian W. Shaffer Forthcoming Reading the Eighteenth-Century Novel Paula R. Backscheider Reading the Nineteenth-Century Novel Harry E. Shaw and Alison Case Reading the American Novel 1780–1865 Shirley Samuels Reading the American Novel 1865–1914 G. R. Thompson Reading the Twentieth-Century American Novel James Phelan ii RTNA01 2 13/6/05, 5:28 PM Reading the Novel in English 1950–2000 Brian W. Shaffer iii RTNA01 3 13/6/05, 5:28 PM © 2006 by Brian W. Shaffer BLACKWELL PUBLISHING 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148-5020, USA 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford OX4 2DQ, UK 550 Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia The right of Brian W. Shaffer to be identified as the Author of this Work has been asserted in accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs, and...
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...Placement English Language and Composition Advanced Placement English III First Six Weeks – Introductory Activities: ▪ Class rules, expectations, procedures ▪ Students review patterns of writing, which they will imitate throughout the course: reflection, narration and description, critical analysis, comparison and contrast, problem and solution, and persuasion and argument. ▪ Students review annotation acronyms, how to do a close reading, literary elements and rhetorical devices. Students also review the SOAPSTONE (subject, occasion, audience, purpose, speaker, tone, organization, narrative style and evidence) strategy for use in analyzing prose and visual texts along with three of the five cannons of rhetoric: invention, arrangement and style. ▪ Students learn the format of the AP test, essay rubric and essay structure. ▪ Students take a full-length AP test for comparison purposes in the spring. Reading: The Scarlet Letter – Nathaniel Hawthorne Writing: Answer the following question in one paragraph. Use quotes from the novel as evidence. Some readers believe that the elaborate decoration that Hester embroiders on the scarlet letter indicates her rejection of the community’s view of her act. Do you agree or disagree? Explain your position using evidence from the text. (test grade) Writing: Write a well-developed essay addressing the following prompt. Document all sources using MLA citation. Compare Hester to a modern day person who has...
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...bore not beauty's name: | But now is black beauty's successive heir, | And beauty slandered with a bastard shame, | For since each hand hath put on nature's power, | Fairing the foul with art's false borrowed face, | Sweet beauty hath no name no holy bower, | But is profaned, if not lives in disgrace. | Therefore my mistress' eyes are raven black, | Her eyes so suited, and they mourners seem, | At such who not born fair no beauty lack, | Slandering creation with a false esteem, | Yet so they mourn becoming of their woe, | That every tongue says beauty should look so. | 128 How oft when thou, my music, music play'st, | Upon that blessed wood whose motion sounds | With thy sweet fingers when thou gently sway'st | The wiry concord that mine ear confounds, | Do I envy those jacks that nimble leap, | To kiss the tender inward of thy hand, | Whilst my poor lips which should that harvest reap, | At the wood's boldness by thee blushing stand. | To be so tickled they would change their state | And situation with those dancing chips, | O'er whom thy fingers walk with...
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