1. “To Build a Fire” by Jack London

2. Where We’ve Been During unit 1 we took at look at: –Native American Literature –Literature of the Early Settlers (Puritan, Colonial, etc) –Revolutionary Literature –Romanticism (including Transcendentalism) –Realism

3. Historical Context 1861: Civil War begins 1862: Homestead Act to encourage westward expansion Late 1860s-1870s: Reconstruction 1880s: Major Changes in Way of Life –Electricity, phone, cars, motion pictures, etc –Sees a lower quality of living (low wages, long hours, child labor, etc) 1890s: “Frontier” is gone KNOWN AS “GILDED AGE” See page 462-473 for more context

4. This Brings Us To: Romanticism (1820s-1860s) –Backlash to the strict religious doctrine and societal expectations set by early settlers –Value individualism, creativity, and being true to yourself Realism/Naturalism (1850s-1910s) –Backlash to the wide, sweeping changes in the face of the country (industrialization, urbanization, war, etc) Realism and Naturalism

5. Realism “Real life,” ordinary people Honest, objective, factual Loneliness and isolation of prairie life Small town life Realists, after seeing the devastation and tragedy of war, no longer saw the point of “sugar coating” or focusing on only ideals. Focus on REALITY!

6. Naturalism A branch of Realism A fascination with things humans can not control –Nature –Blind Faith –Heredity –Chance A parallel to American life –Urbanization –Mechanization –Anonymity

7. Jack London Wrote stories that use nature as the main source of conflict Fascinated by Alaskan wilderness or the “Yukon” Fascinated by the dogs of the Alaskan territories Explores the things which are out the realm of control for humans

8. YOUR TASK Create a Map Trace the following elements found in the story: –The major events of the story –Elements of Naturalism –Examples of Foreshadowing Requirements At least 8 “stops” on the map For each “stop” –Scene Title –Visual –Textual evidence showcasing elements of Naturalism –Textual evidence that foreshadows the end of the story

9. YOUR GRADE Includes at least 8 “stops” Scene Titles Visuals accurately reflect story Overall neatness, design, quality of map Choice of textual evidence for elements of Naturalism Choice of textual evidence for examples of foreshadowing In-text citations 10 pts 5 pts 10 pts 15 pts 25 pts 10 pts