In both “Powder” and “To Build a Fire,” a character brings a travel companion on a risky winter journey.
Read both texts. Then, write an essay in which you compare how the authors develop the theme of trust.
In the short stories "Powder" by Tobias Wolff and "To Build a Fire" by Jack London, the authors both explore the theme of trust through risky winter journeys and the relationship between the main character and their travel companion. While the protagonists in both stories embark on dangerous adventures, their level of trust in their companions differs significantly, leading to contrasting outcomes. Through various literary devices and character development, Wolff and London demonstrate the importance of trust in such treacherous circumstances.
In "Powder," the main character's father takes him on a risky winter journey despite being separated from his wife and having limited time to spend with his son. However, the father deeply values their bond and trusts his own abilities to keep his son safe. This is evident when the father states, "Trust me, I've driven in worse than this." Through this line, Wolff conveys the father's confidence and assures the readers that the protagonist is in capable hands. As the story progresses, the author showcases the father's resourcefulness and quick thinking when confronted with obstacles such as a roadblock and a closed restaurant. Despite these challenges, the father remains optimistic and finds alternative solutions, fostering the son's trust in him. The climax of the story occurs when the father chooses to disregard the road closure sign and continues driving, risking punishment. However, this decision ultimately leads to the successful completion of their journey, highlighting the father's trust in his own judgment.
Contrastingly, in "To Build a Fire," the protagonist lacks trust in his travel companion, a dog, and pays the price for it. The man disregards repeated warnings from the old-timer and embarks on a hazardous journey alone in extreme cold temperatures. Unlike the son in "Powder" who willingly follows his father, the protagonist in "To Build a Fire" is hesitant to trust his dog's instincts and abilities. London emphasizes the dog's instincts by contrasting them with the man's lack of knowledge and experience. The dog consistently senses the danger and advises the protagonist to avoid certain paths, but the man ignores these cues, relying solely on his own judgment. As the story unfolds, the man's trust in his own abilities proves to be his downfall. He fails to build a fire to warm himself, underestimates the intensity of the cold, and falls into a trap hidden beneath the snow. Consequently, he freezes to death, highlighting the catastrophic consequences of not trusting one's companion in perilous situations.
Both Wolff and London utilize various literary devices to develop the theme of trust. Wolff employs dialogue between the characters to emphasize their level of trust and showcase the father's determination to keep his son safe. London, on the other hand, uses the dog to symbolize trust and contrast it with the man's lack thereof. The repeated warnings from the old-timer serve as a reminder of the importance of trust in hostile environments. Additionally, both authors use the settings of their respective stories to reinforce the significance of trust. The harsh winter landscapes of "Powder" and "To Build a Fire" underscore the risks the characters face and magnify the consequences of misplaced trust.
In conclusion, through the short stories "Powder" and "To Build a Fire," Tobias Wolff and Jack London explore the theme of trust in winter journeys. While both protagonists embark on hazardous adventures, their levels of trust in their companions determine their outcomes. Wolff portrays trust as essential for success in such circumstances, while London demonstrates the consequences of disregarding trust. By utilizing various literary devices and character development, both authors effectively convey the importance of trust in navigating challenging and dangerous situations.