To Build a Fire

What is the only line of dialogue spoken aloud in "To Build a Fire"?

• "One should never travel without a companion past fifty below."

• "Easy there. Soon we'll be with the boys."

• "You were right, old hoss; you were right."

• "Man, I could really go for a biscuit right now."

What event happens just before the following line: "The man was shocked. It was as though he had just heard his own sentence of death"?

• He uses the last of his matches.

• The wolf dog attacks him.

• He reaches into his jacket and finds that his food is gone.

• Falling snow smothers his fire.

What causes the man's frozen beard to have "the color and solidity of amber"?

• Tobacco

• Whiskey

• Licorice

• Dirt

What does the man have to watch out for while he's walking down the frozen creek?

• Falling trees
• Wolverines
• Pockets of warm spring water
• Yukon thieves

What does fire mainly symbolize in this story?

• The strength of human courage

• Survival

• Anger at nature's bitter cruelty

• Compassion

The warm spring pools in the creek bed mainly symbolize

• The man's frustration

• Small comforts in a harsh world

• Nature's unpredictability

• The man's pride

The dog's reluctance to leave the fire mainly symbolizes

• Its instinct to stay warm on such a cold day.

• Its attempt to keep the man safe.

• Its fear of the boys at the camp.

• Its hunger

The man's hands primarily symbolize

• The difficult life he's lived
• His old age
• His ability to survive
• His great accomplishments

The man's idea of killing his dog and warming his hands inside it are inspired by a similar story about a man who killed a:

• Moose
• Deer
• Steer
• Bear

In his final panicked run for the camp, the man compares himself to a "winged Mercury" (36) because:

• He feels as though someone is carrying him
• His body starts to feel hot
• He feels invincible
• He cannot feel his feet hitting the ground