To Build a Fire

How do the different attitudes of the man and the dog highlight The Value of Natural Instincts?

Teaching Suggestion: The third-person omniscient narrator in “To Build a Fire” allows the reader to know the thoughts of both the man and the dog. Students might track the man’s reaction to the setting and plot events, such as falling through the ice, as well as the dog’s reactions. Comparing these divergent understandings of the brutality of the setting can help students develop an understanding of The Value of Natural Instincts as well as The Dangers of Unimaginative Thinking demonstrated by the man.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who struggle with structured writing might benefit from a graphic organizer that includes a column to write down plot points, a column to write the man’s reactions, and a column to write the dog’s reactions. Additionally, students could be grouped and work together to focus on just one of the characters, with each group then sharing out to build a communal understanding of both characters.