Question

question 4 of 5

what does the old-timer from sulphur creek tell the man in \to build a fire\?

a. to make sure to remove the ice from his dogs paw
b. to watch out for water hidden beneath the snow
c. to never travel alone when its colder than fifty below
d. to put food against the body to keep it from freezing

Explanation:

Identify the core advice

In Jack London's short story "To Build a Fire," the protagonist recalls the advice given to him by the old-timer from Sulphur Creek. The central piece of wisdom that the man repeatedly reflects upon is that no man should travel alone in the Klondike when the temperature is colder than fifty degrees below zero. This is a key element of To Build a Fire Plot.

Analyze the options

• Option A: While the man does help his dog clear ice from its paws, this is not the primary advice given by the old-timer.
• Option B: The man is aware of hidden springs under the snow, but this is his own observation rather than the specific warning recalled from the old-timer.
• Option C: The old-timer explicitly warned that no man should travel alone in the Klondike when it is colder than fifty below. This highlights the theme of human vulnerability against nature, a core tenet of Naturalism in Literature.
• Option D: The man keeps his biscuits next to his skin to keep them from freezing, which is a practical measure he takes, but not the main advice from the old-timer.

Select the correct option

Based on the textual evidence, the correct choice is Option C.

Answer:

• (A) To make sure to remove the ice from his dog's paw
• (B) To watch out for water hidden beneath the snow
• (C) To never travel alone when it's colder than fifty below (Correct answer)
• (D) To put food against the body to keep it from freezing