Many different types of themes can be expressed in “To Build a Fire” by Jack London. Although I do believe that the theme of London's story is that the environment shapes who we are because it shows that man is not strong enough to live up to his environment. Allowing the environment to kill the man indicates that he is weak both mentally and biologically, while on the other hand, the dog is stronger by surviving the same harsh environment. Instinct over reason is another very representable theme in the history of London. For the dog to survive and the man to die, the dog needed instinct, which man lacked. Man has acquired reason and observance, but not good enough to enable him to achieve his goal, makes him subordinate to instinct. In the harsh environment of Yukon, Alaska, he determined what types of people man and dog were by pushing their limits. It is notable that man has virtually no control over his environment as he attempts to start a fire but fails at every turn. The first time he lights his fire under the spruce trees, he does not consider the possibility that the snow will fall from the tree onto the fire and cause the fire to go out. London explains that "it was his own fault or mistake." (London, 489) meaning that the reason why the snow fell from the tree cannot be blamed on man but rather as a mistake; because of that, it's not his fault because he couldn't predict whether the snow was going to fall or not, but it was his mistake to start the fire at that place. I agree with London's explanation because the man had no control to stop the snow from falling if he had done so then it would have been considered his own fault even if he was still held in the middle of paper.... ..e forces of nature. London also explains that you cannot predict what will happen in an unknowable environment. The forces in that environment will oppose each other, but it depends on the type of animal present and whether it is fit enough to live in that environment. The man must have the experience of living in the harsh environment of the Yukon because he will be fit and will not encounter an unfamiliar environment where only the worst will happen and expect the unexpected. The story is based on naturalism as it is based on man versus nature and the role of the environment is emphasized due to it being the antagonist. The story is also based on realism because in reality such stories occur in Yukon, Alaska, in Henderson Creek. Works Cited Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, . Adventures in American Literature. Pegasus ed. Orlando, FL: 1989. 485-93. Print.