From the evidence London gives us, what stages are involved in the processof freezing to death? What does the story gain from London’s detailed account of the man’s experience with each successive stage?

What will be an ideal response?



  • The man’s death begins with the frost on his face. After he opens his coat in order to get his lunch, he exposes his extremities and skin so that both become numb. Then a stinging ache comes, followed by shivering—especially after his feet get wet. Over time, the shivering ceases, especially after he deliriously runs around. Unexpectedly, he then feels so warm and comfortable that he even considers “freezing was not so bad as people thought” (par. 38). After he staggers and falls, his mental confusion becomes so great that he feels “out of himself” (par. 41). He then surrenders to the drowsiness that signals his end. London’s vivid description of this process of freezing to death is an essential part of the story.



By describing this process in stages, the reader imaginatively experiences the freezing along with the man. As we take the time to read this process, the reader is mindful of the length of time that the man’s body has been exposed to such a perilous setting. London’s detailed account builds the readers’ sympathy for a man, whose pride and inexperience—not the treacherous weather —are the real cause for his painful, unnecessary, and solitary death.

Language Arts & World Languages

You might also like to view...

Fill in the blank with the letter of the correct answer.

?????????????? ?????? a. ? b. ? c. ? d. ?

Language Arts & World Languages

The speaker of the poem expresses

Stephen Crane (1871-1900), an American novelist and poet, is best known as the author of The Red Badge of Courage, a novel about a young soldier whose romantic notion of heroism is shattered in the trenches of the Civil War. Although Crane never served in the military, he saw his share of war and death as a journalist covering conflicts in foreign countries. “War is Kind” by Stephen Crane Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind. Because your lover threw wild hands toward the sky And affrighted steed ran on alone. Do not weep War is kind. Hoarse, booming drums of the regiment, Little souls who thirst for fight, These men were born to drill and die. The unexplained glory flies above them, Great is the battle-god, great, and his kingdom – A field where a thousand corpses lie. Do not weep, babe, for war is kind. Because your father tumbled in the yellow trenches, Raged at his breast, gulped and died, Do not weep War is kind. Swift blazing flag of the regiment, Eagle with crest of red and gold, Those men were born to drill and die, Point for them the virtue of slaughter, Make plain to them the excellence of killing And a field where a thousand corpses lie. Mother, whose heart hung humble as a button On the bright splendid shroud of your son, Do not weep War is kind. a. sympathy for the victims of war b. an ironic sentiment about war c. both a and b d. none of the above

Language Arts & World Languages

El condicional perfecto. Si hubieras sido seleccionado como uno de los tripulantes de una nave espacial, ¿cómo te habrías preparado? Escribe cinco (5) cosas que habrías hecho. Usa el condicional perfecto en todos los casos. ? Ejemplo: Habría ido al gimnasio todos los días, para estar en forma. ? 1._____________________________________________________________________ 2._____________________________________________________________________ 3._____________________________________________________________________ 4._____________________________________________________________________ 5._____________________________________________________________________

What will be an ideal response?

Language Arts & World Languages

¿Le mostraste tu pasaporte al agente de inmigración?

Pasa por la aduana en el aeropuerto. Contesta las preguntas del agente usando los pronombres de objeto directo e indirecto apropiados.

Language Arts & World Languages