Even though many of the texts we have analyzed have said
that non-conformity is good, “To Build a Fire” carries a cautionary
message about the bad things that can happen when one doesn’t conform to
society. In it, the main character decides to trek through Yukon to a camp in
-70 degree weather while alone. He accidentally gets his feet wet and
eventually freezes to death. I think this means that even if non-conformity is
good, if we do everything all by ourselves, then we won’t get anywhere. You
need people to back you up, or else you’re setting yourself up for disaster.
actual text: http://www.jacklondons.net/buildafire.html
ReplyDeleteI agree with your opinion. Non-conformity can seem like the better route to go at times, but if we aren't careful Non-conformity can leave us alone and without anyone in times of great need, like the hunter in the Yukon.
ReplyDeleteI agree that London somewhat presents non-conformity as bad. But I believe this short story is about death and nature. No man can escape nature, and although this man believes he can get passed the cold, he fails.In the end of the story, he accepts his failures, he knows he made mistakes. But right before his death he sees the world as a peaceful place, beautiful, that nothing was wrong in the world. He sees the small things as unimportant, that life is truly more than the stresses and failures.
ReplyDeleteI agree that although being able to act independently is an important quality to have, that does not mean one must seclude or isolate oneself from others to achieve non-conformity. Individuality and aloneness are two entirely different things. No matter how strong one may consider oneself, it would be untrue to say they advanced through all of life's hurdles alone. There will almost always be someone willing to extend a helping hand throughout life's hardships and one may sometimes decline that outside aid, but there will come times when that hand is no longer a choice but a necessity. Non-comformity refers to the refusal to accept standards and the status quo, not the refusal to accept help, guidance, or companionship. I believe this distinction is the message that Emerson is trying to convey to readers in this text.
ReplyDeleteI believe that London is suggesting the idea of a good middle ground between conformity and non-conformity. The character is being a complete non-conformist when he sets out on his own without any help from society at all. However, he cannot survive so cut off from all society, so non-conformist, if you will. London is making the point that people need to find the right balance between conformity and non-conformity in order to lead happy lives. This still relates today, in that people are still trying to figure out whether or not the should follow the status quo, and if so, how much. Everyone, then and now, has to figure out for themselves how much they want to conform and how much they want to stand out.
ReplyDelete-Anna Rice