Realism and Naturalism in London's "To Build a Fire"

Jack London's short story titled "To Build a Fire" is an outstanding representation of a literary work under the category of Naturalism. This subgenre stemming off of Realism focuses almost solely on nature and humans' approach to it as well as Darwin's survival of the fittest theory along with a few other theories oh his (Werlock). London's tale features a man with his trusty Huskie alongside him venturing into the Alaskan wilderness in the middle of winter, and it is very cold. The man's survival instincts are trumped by the dog's in this almost battle against nature (London601-614). A great example of Naturalism right from the beginning is the title of the short story itself. It initially gives the reader an idea that this story not only teaches some wilderness lessons such as how to build a fire, but it must bring the main character into some sort of survival situation in which he must fight to survive in the harsh conditions of nature. This is truly all Naturalism is concerned about. It mainly deals with man's interaction with nature and overall his survival bringing out his most primitive instincts (Werlock).

As the inexperienced adventurer travels out in search of gold, he ignores all signs of danger such as the drastically cold weather which he underestimates (London 601-603). Again, right from the beginning, the reader may imply that the man will have to endure some sort of instinctual struggle with nature. As the story progresses, nature really does nothing drastic against the man and his dog, but is simply sustains its conditions to where the man is not even concerned in the slightest about gold anymore (London 601-614). The classic conflict of "man vs. nature" does in fact take place in this short story, but that is not really what Naturalism is about. Its role in the story is bringing out the man's, and the dog's as well, instincts to where he is almost not even a functioning human anymore, and he is just another animal only concerned with survival. Naturalism as a whole was based heavily on Darwin's ideals (Werlock), and London's story indubitably illustrates his survival of the fittest theory. It is not so much that the protagonist of this story is competing against another organism to survive, but rather against his own will (London 601-614), and due to this, the story overall is a great example of Naturalism.

Although Realism's subgenre of Naturalism is mainly portrayed in this short story, Realism is also prevalent. For instance, Abby Werlock sums up the entire philosophy of Realism as depicting life as it actually exists, and London definitely accomplishes this task. Maybe most are not as extreme, but London is truly chronicling a man's most primitive emotions and instincts through a natural situation. It is reminiscent of Realism's typical middle class ordinary man in an extraordinary situation (Regionalism). The ordinary adventurer looking to strike it rich by finding gold is suddenly placed in extreme survival situation in which his Darwinian characteristics must come into play (London 601-614). Of course, Realism is represented if a subset of it is, but London's work should really be viewed more as a Naturalism work rather than the broader Realism. It displays many traits making this so, and the critical one pertaining to this story specifically is that the man is placed in a situation where his intelligence is almost useless, and he must use his primary instincts in order to survive.

London, Jack. "To Build a Fire." American Literature. Comp. Jeffrey D. Wilhelm. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009. 601-614. Print.

"Regionalism and Realism." American Literature. Comp. Jeffery D. Wilhelm. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009. 486-494. Print. 26 Jan 2011.

Werlock, Abby H. P. "naturalism." The Facts On File Companion to the American Short Story, Second Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2009. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= Gamshrtsty0501&SingleRecord=True (accessed February 16, 2011).

Werlock, Abby H. P. "realism." The Facts On File Companion to the American Short Story, Second Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2009. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Feb 15, 2011.