Two stories "To Build a Fire" by Jack London and "Solitude" by Henry David Thoreau demonstrate situations in which a person is in contact with nature. However, the approach of the main characters of the tales to such a state of events is exactly the opposite. Both lyrics describe the plight of a person who is voluntarily or accidentally left alone in the woods and enjoys this juxtaposition of civilized and wild or fights with the forces of nature, but both try to embrace nature and accept it for what it is. it is, whether it is the wrong way or the right way. The reading materials show how one can take advantage of nature's gifts or become victims of its frightening power. The outcome of man's interaction with uncontrolled forces depends on the approach and attitude towards circumstances, as well as the ability to find unity with nature. The stories lend themselves to comparison because they introduce how it can alter the individual's approach to the love of nature, and not only that, but the way in which one treats nature. Through this essay, we have learned how nature can be both an enemy and a friend depending on how we humans treat it. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Reading material "To light a fire" tells about a desperate traveler suffering from bad weather, goes out into nature thinking that he is able to overcome everything that nature can offer. The problem of the story is a person's physical and psychological endurance. The author conveys the message that man is a physically weak being, whose life is strongly influenced by external factors. As a natural event, lower temperatures are a death sentence for a vulnerable human being. The fear of fighting the Northern forces causes one to lose chivalry and humanity. He is willing to carry out frightening actions such as murdering his faithful dog to have a small chance of survival. The author describes a day in the character's life that turns out to be his last day. The man was traveling along a difficult ring road to reach his companions. Man does not deal with thoughts along the way. He is scared and at the same time anxious to be alone with nature. The traveler is unable to appreciate its ancient beauty and, therefore, is unable to use his resources in the right way to overcome obstacles. Perceives nature as an enemy rather than an ally that can help him face adversity. The author continues to describe the man's difficulties which are directly linked to his skeptical state of mind. The man had accidentally fallen through the ice and got his feet wet. This event annoys him at first and causes irritation. He didn't expect that such a small accident could become a terrible danger for him. When a man manages to light a fire, he is happy and relieved. The traveler realizes that he has been saved by his practical knowledge of survival. The bonfire symbolizes the tranquility of life in civilization and the supposed victory over uncontrolled forces. However, such relief turns out to be a short-lived illusion, because nature does not want to succumb to a man who does not respect its power. Due to his own ignorance and carelessness, the traveler lit a fire under the spruce. The snow falling from the branches extinguished the bonfire and left him once again without hope of survival. The traveler is able to think about profound matters for the first time right before his inevitable death. Nature has taught him to respect the powers that are beneath hiscontrol and to accept his situation calmly. The loneliness that he was so afraid of throughout the plot becomes his last refuge. The company of the wild woods is the last thing he experiences as he tries to reach civilization.Therefore, the tale reveals that it is unwise to treat the wilderness as an enemy and ignore the warning signs that life gives. Man's arrogance often leads to terrifying consequences. Nature sees from the beginning how weak man is and takes advantage of it, unlike his dog, who uses instinct from the beginning and ends up surviving. Therefore, it is naive to assume that one can compete as equals against uncontrolled powers without even making any effort to try to win or survive. Henry Thoreau's story "Solitude" conveys a completely opposite message on the same topic. The main character, the narrator of the story, enjoys unity with nature and tries to strengthen this connection with ancient heritage. He goes into the woods because of his desire to live in the wild. Man makes such a decision to feel cohesion with his roots. The narrator understands his relationship with the wild world of the ancestors. Moreover, man realizes the small value of a person's life against the background of the enormous force of nature that has existed for millions of years. However, the main character is by no means a weak opportunist who only succumbs to uncontrolled forces. It feeds on the strength of nature and finds comfort, joy and pleasure in it. The author argues that a person is often alone in society even if he is part of the crowd. People quickly get bored of each other's company. This trend is present because everyone is fed up with the same ideas and thoughts that circulate in civilized society. However, nature allows you to relax morally and fill yourself with energy to relearn to feel on a deeper level and think more broadly. While in London's story the protagonist denies the enormous power of nature, the man in Thoreau's literary work willingly accepts this power. According to the narrator, nature provides remedies for both body and soul. The human being only needs to benefit from the given opportunities and use the resources provided. However, most members of contemporary society cannot admit that these abilities exist and prefer to be narrow-minded and blind. The company of trees and animals is much more pleasant for the main character because he can feel an attachment to the ancient wild roots. Furthermore, the character's ideas are based on much deeper motivations than the sudden epiphany of a traveler dying in the Arctic. The main character claims that the Earth is small and miserable against the background of eternal space. According to Thoreau every person must understand that he cannot be the center of the universe. Our fears, problems and desires are insignificant in the context of fleeting time. After all, every human being is destined to become an integral part of the Earth after death. The narrator believes that our existence only strengthens the ancient wild forces because every living being reunites with nature as compost that fertilizes the soil. It is strange that his feelings are not one-sided. Nature in return turns to the wise man. He finds several flowers and leaves that had been left by visitors at his house. This detail symbolizes that the ancient forces respect the narrator's life path and accept him as an equal. Not only that, we have seen how nature can be very dangerous to humans if not respected, we humans tend to push it too far, or take it for granted and eventually, in the end, it turns against us, simply by embracing and respecting it. brings. 48-53.