To Build a Fire is a short story by Jack London that tells the tale of a man who is struggling to survive in the cold, snowy wilderness of the Yukon Territory. The story is a powerful exploration of the dangers of nature and the ways in which humans can overcome them. In order to better understand the events of the story and the causes and effects that shape the protagonist's journey, it can be helpful to create a cause and effect chart.
The first cause in the story is the extreme cold that the protagonist is facing. The temperature is 50 degrees below zero, and the man is not properly equipped to handle the freezing temperatures. This causes him to suffer from frostbite and to struggle to keep warm.
The second cause is the man's lack of knowledge and experience in the wilderness. He is new to the area and does not fully understand the dangers that he is facing. This causes him to make a series of mistakes that put him in further danger.
The first effect of the extreme cold is that the man's fingers and toes begin to freeze, causing him great pain and discomfort. The second effect is that the man's body becomes sluggish and he has difficulty moving, which makes it harder for him to build a fire and take care of himself.
The third cause in the story is the man's inability to build a proper fire. He lacks the necessary materials and skills to build a fire that will burn long enough to keep him warm. This causes him to rely on a single match to start his fire, which is not enough to sustain it.
The third effect is that the man's fire goes out and he is unable to re-ignite it. This leaves him with no way to warm himself or to protect himself from the extreme cold.
The fourth cause is the man's decision to continue traveling despite the dangers he is facing. He is determined to reach his destination and does not want to turn back, even though it means risking his life. This causes him to push himself to the limit and to make increasingly desperate decisions.
The fourth effect is that the man's body becomes weaker and he becomes more and more vulnerable to the cold. This ultimately leads to his death, as he is unable to find shelter or to build a fire in time to save himself.
In conclusion, the cause and effect chart for To Build a Fire illustrates the various factors that contribute to the man's struggle to survive in the wilderness. The extreme cold, his lack of knowledge and experience, and his inability to build a proper fire all contribute to his ultimate demise. However, it is ultimately his decision to continue traveling that seals his fate, as he is unable to overcome the dangers he is facing.