Victor Passapera In the story "to build a fire" there are 3 themes, they are respecting nature because he thinks he is going to survive, and considering results of actions. The main theme is heeding warnings. The themes are shown through the characters actions. The character had an attitude that prevented him from heeding any warnings. He didn't respect nature therefore he died. His attitude was arrogant and careless, he shows this when he is thinking "…showed first 75 words of 404 total…

…showed last 75 words of 404 total…Even the wild dog knows of the dangers. No one had traveled up or down that silent creek. The man disregarded the warnings of nature, experience, and proof of the dangerous cold. He believed he was invincible. The story effectively shows that failure to heed warnings will lead to adverse repercussions. In the main character's case, it led to death. The man's attitude thwarts him form taking advice from people, events, facts or even himself.