Research London's life to find experiences he used as authentic background for his short stories. Compose an original short story whose theme is choices. Warm-Up Lead a discussion on the nature of conflict in both real life and in fiction. Ask students whether any of them have ever been in a potentially dangerous situation in which they had to make a choice. Explain that internal conflict is a struggle between conflicting thoughts or emotions.
External conflict is a struggle between a person and another person, nature, society, or fate.
Have students give examples of conflict from literature, movies, TV, or plays. Web Work 1. As they read the story, ask students to pay attention to details that reveal Jack London's experience with Arctic weather conditions. After students read this short story, discuss the details in the story that indicate that Jack London was very familiar with the setting. Discuss windchill and how quickly exposed skin freezes at sub-zero temperatures.