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Exposition: Setting
The setting for the story "To Build a Fire" is located in the mountainous north. It is specifically on a bleak cold January day. At the beginning of the story, he is at Calumet Camp. He embarks on a journey through the cold, frosty environment by rivers and creeks. -
Exposition: Characterization
Tom Vincent is the main character of the short story "To Build a Fire". In the story, he is characterized as a rough, tough, and manly man. He is presented with muscles and great pride of his manly nature. -
Rising Action
Tom Vincent is struggling to keep warm by running and rubbing his cheeks to return the blood flow in his body. He now feels the need to wear a feminine "nose strap". -
Rising Action
Tom Vincent realizes that the weather is getting much worse and the temperature is dropping rapidly. He is worried about the cold. -
Rising Action
Tom Vincent begins to think he can defy nature and the frost! -
Rising Action
Tom Vincent's surroundings are getting much more dangerous. He tried to walk over a frozen river but then the river breaks when he is halfway across! -
Climax
As Tom Vincent breaks through the ice, he becomes extremely cold. He makes it to the bank of the river and realizes there is one thing he absolutely needs to do. He needs to build a fire. -
Falling Action
Tom Vincent realizes that there is no room for failure and he must build this fire to save his own life -
Falling Action
Tom Vincent is growing very cold and numb in his attempt to build the fire. He eventually lights a small fire with his matches. -
Falling Action
The snow blotted out his fire after he lit it. He becomes more cold and numb when his fire goes out. -
Falling Action
Tom Vincent is growing very frustrated in his attempts to build the fire and wishes he had a comrade. He becomes desperate to build a fire and to stay alive. But eventually, he lights the fire and does not die -
Resolution
After his journey through the cold wilderness, he cannot walk for a month and his hand is broken. But, he learns his lesson to never travel alone.