Who is the man’s companion in ‘To Build a Fire’?

In Jack London’s short story ‘To Build a Fire’, the man’s companion is a dog. The dog symbolizes instinct and the natural instincts that the man neglects throughout his journey. While the man is overconfident and dismisses the severity of the cold, the dog represents a more primal understanding of the environment. It is aware of the dangers posed by the freezing temperatures and knows to be cautious. This contrast highlights the man’s hubris and ultimately leads to his downfall, as he doesn’t heed the warnings of nature that the dog instinctively understands.