Read the excerpt from Part 2 of “To Build a Fire.” He was losing his battle with the frost. It was creeping into his body from all sides. The thought of it drove him on, but he ran no more than a hundred feet, when he staggered and pitched headlong. It was his last panic. When he had recovered his breath and control, he sat up and entertained in his mind the conception of meeting death with dignity. Which idea best describes what is presented in this excerpt?
Answer
A
This is part of the falling action, which introduces the theme that working together is a good way to solve problems.
B
This is part of the falling action, which introduces the theme that life’s hardships bring reality into clear focus.
C
This is part of the rising action, which introduces the theme that working together is a good way to solve problems.
D
This is part of the rising action, which introduces the theme that life’s hardships bring reality into clear focus.
Explanation
The man has already lost his fight against the cold and recognizes that death is near. His acceptance of his situation comes after the story’s main conflict has reached its turning point, so this is part of the falling action. The hardship forces him to face reality clearly, which supports the theme that life’s hardships bring reality into clear focus. Choice B describes both the plot stage and the theme.
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