To Build a Fire and The Hunger Artist Essay Example

to Donald Pizer, in the story 'To Build a Fire', there is a paradoxical contrast between our knowledge of Danger and the newcomer's Ignorance of it. (Pizer 111). Despite being warned about the dangers, the traveler deliberately chooses to remain oblivious to the severity of this harsh place. When we hear about hell, we immediately imagine a scorching and blazing scene that is impossible to survive. The frozen and icy setting of The Yukon in this tale reflects a similar effect; like a mirror reflects an image in reverse, the abundance of ice has the same outcome as being surrounded by fire.

London's text highlights the effect on the traveler's body when it freezes, with the blood recoiling and sucking the life out of him (London 328). This extreme cold has a similar effect to fire, where it causes the loss of life. In "The Hunger Artist," the aging man's grief is not caused by the bars surrounding him, but by his unanswered insistence that he can continue fasting, which imprisons his soul. This self-made prison becomes hell for him. As the public watches him, he sinks deeper into his purgatory and becomes increasingly frustrated with their inability to understand his ordeal (Kafka 308). Ironically, his greatest pleasure comes from experiencing the greatest pain in the form of temptation when a lavish breakfast is brought to him in the morning (Kafka 303). Despite his constant efforts to prove himself, dissatisfaction continues to gnaw at him (Kafka 304). Ultimately, his accidental suicide provides him with relief and an escape from hell. London's story is filled with symbolic references depicting man's belief in his own abilities and his

struggle against nature's power.

He was aware of the risks that surrounded him while walking, but they did not matter to him; they were only "facts." The title of the story, "To Build a Fire," is the most significant symbol. He thinks he can create his own illumination in the midst of darkness.

Despite the numerous warnings that the traveler received indicating that he was nearing the entrance to hell, he proceeded regardless due to his unwavering faith in his own capabilities. Although his knowledge on building fires remained unchanged, his ego grew to the point where his ability dwindled, much like his fire. According to one analyst, readers of "To Build a Fire" anticipate the protagonist's inevitable journey towards a freezing demise, but are not morally offended by his death because it is caused by his own excessive pride rather than naturalistic determinism (Haddon 23). The man firmly believes that he alone possesses the power to conquer nature and emerge victorious.

The downfall of the old man in "A Hunger Artist" is not due to a lack of skills, but rather because of his arrogance and self-reliance. His struggle can be compared to that of Christ, as depicted when they tried to make him stand up by placing his arms in outstretched hands, but he refused (Kafka 302).

This passage discusses various connections to biblical events in the story. In one instance, Jesus is depicted as being laid upon the cross, feeling disappointment with his head down. The artist also mentions Jesus' lips being pursed as if for a kiss, linking it to his betrayal with a kiss. Additionally, the forty days and forty nights of fasting by

Jesus resonate with the significance of the number forty in the Bible. Machionne suggests that the commercial and secular aspects surrounding fasting distinguish it from religious fasting. Towards the end of the story, the old man reveals that his ability to fast stems from his lack of pleasure in any type of food. Eating, to him, is described as miserable, painful, and pointless.

Jesus, like anyone else, experienced temptation to sin. However, what set him apart was the distress that sinning caused him. Similarly, the old man's life and death were driven by a strong purpose, just like Jesus. In Jack London's story, the imagery is chilling, such as the lack of light in the traveler's northern location where the sun does not rise every day. London writes, "There was no sun nor hint of sun" (311).

Symbolically, God is often referred to as light; therefore, any place without light is also without God. Nevertheless, the traveler, in his arrogance, decides that he can survive without God. However, when he tries to start a fire, it is repeatedly extinguished by the darkness. This ironic repetition emphasizes that the traveler's self-assuredness is misguided and ultimately leads to his demise. Hilfer points out that this structure serves to highlight the traveler's lack of knowledge, despite his belief otherwise. His excessive reliance on himself and his dismissal of instincts result in his freezing to death in the darkness. In "A Hunger Artist," there is a striking visual of a table next to the protagonist's cage which shows the number of days he has fasted. This number serves as a subtle reminder of his vulnerability, just as each person only has

a finite number of days on earth.

Throughout his career, he has consistently claimed that he could go without eating for a longer period than he is allowed to. However, it is only when his wish is finally granted that no one pays any attention. In fact, the number of days he has managed to fast has remained unchanged for a while because the staff finds even this small task pointless (Kafka 308). As he edges closer to death with each passing day of fasting, the indifference towards him and his desired achievement grows. Machosky points out that an artist always has the option to find something to eat or take up odd jobs for sustenance. Nevertheless, an artist would rather starve than give up doing anything other than their art, despite the slim chances of success (Machosky 289).

Both the traveler in Jack London's "To Build a Fire" and the hunger artist in Franz Kafka's "The Hunger Artist" succumb to their own arrogance, leading to their demise. The settings of both stories reflect a hellish atmosphere. London and Kafka employ symbolism to connect their narratives to biblical events. The vivid imagery utilized serves as a stark reminder of humanity's vulnerability. The protagonists of these works share a disregard for social interaction, opting for isolation. As a result, they are left without any help when they challenge the forces of nature and fail to acknowledge reason or accept guidance.

Ultimately, this shared flaw leads to the downfall of both characters.