to build a fire

While the man is skilled in survival, he lacks "imagination" to comprehend the power of nature. The man in "To Build a Fire" is purposely not given a name because the environment is more important than his free will and individuality. His goal at the start of the story is to reach the camp to meet "the boys," presumably to prospect for gold. The man's greatest deficiency, leading to his death, is his inability to think about the future consequences of present actions or facts; at the beginning of the story. The dog instinctually understands it is too cold to travel yet the man's stubbornness and ego pushes them on into danger.