The protagonist undertakes a dangerous journey in extreme weather conditions, despite the warnings of an elder. The story explores the conflict between human knowledge and animal instinct, with man's knowledge ultimately failing him while the animal's instinct saves him. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay From the beginning of history, London highlights the vanity of man's knowledge. The man is proud to take on the challenge of walking in freezing temperatures, but he doesn't fully grasp the meaning of the weather because he is a newcomer to the area. On the contrary, the animal appears wary of the dangers that await it, relying on its instincts. This conflict between knowledge and instinct becomes more evident when the man forces the dog to lead. The man believes that the spring in the area never freezes and that the snow at the top hides any hidden traps. However, the dog falls into a trap but quickly recovers, relying on his instincts to survive. When the man himself gets his feet wet, his knowledge leaves him and he suffers frostbite. On the contrary, the dog's instincts save him from freezing his paws and dying. Although the story explores various themes, such as man's struggle against nature, the conflict between knowledge and instinct is the most obvious. This conflict is evident in the fate of man: despite his knowledge, he fails in his mission and in his ability to survive in difficult conditions. His knowledge even leads him to believe that running will save him, but this ultimately proves futile. On the other hand, the dog, with its basic instinct, is able to survive in difficult conditions. The story raises questions about human superiority and intellect. Humans are often proud of their intellectual abilities, but when it comes to surviving in hostile environments, animals, who rely solely on instinct, often fare better. This highlights the limits of human knowledge and the power of instinct. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Overall, “To Build a Fire” explores the conflict between knowledge and instinct, highlighting the limits of human knowledge in the face of nature's ferocity. The story serves as a reminder that while knowledge is valuable, instinct can be a powerful tool for survival. London, Jack. "To light a fire."