To Build a Fire: ELL3

This story was so tragic!

1. What are the big mistakes that the main character makes on his journey?
2. Why did the man need to build a fire? (each time)
3. Why did the last fire go out?
4. How do we know that the man is too confident? Find examples in the story.
5. What emergency happens that causes the man to build a fire? Why is this event an emergency?
6. Why did the main character ignore the old man? (Use your own thinking!)
7. Where does this story take place and why is the man here?
8. Why does the man try to kill the dog, and why is he unable to do it?
9. In this desperate situation, how do the dog and the man differ in their ability to survive the cold?

Longer answer:

Can overconfidence ever be good or helpful?

Could this story have ended with the man's survival? What could he have done differently in order to survive?