Themes of Sharing and Isolation

The poem tells the story of six individuals trapped in the cold, each holding a stick of wood that could save them. However, their prejudices and selfishness prevent them from contributing to the fire, leading to their demise. The narrative highlights themes of racial and religious discrimination, class differences, revenge, and selfishness. Ultimately, it conveys a moral lesson about the destructive nature of internal coldness and human sin.

What is the setting of the poem?

• A sunny spring morning

• A cold winter night

• A rainy autumn evening

• A warm summer day

What does each person possess in the poem?

• A bag of gold

• A warm coat

• A stick of wood

• A piece of bread

Why does the first man refuse to share his log?

• He notices one person is black

• He is afraid of the dark

• He doesn't believe in sharing

• He wants to keep it for himself

What does the first man notice about one of the faces around the fire?

• It is crying

• It is asleep

• It is black

• It is smiling

What prevents the second man from contributing his log?

• He sees someone not of his church

• He is asleep

• He doesn't like the fire

• He is too cold to move

What does the second man see across the way?

• A wild animal

• A warm fire

• A person not of his church

• A pile of wood

What is the third man's reason for not sharing his log?

• He is afraid of the fire

• He is too tired

• He wants to keep it for later

• He doesn't want to help the rich

What does the third man do with his coat?

• Throws it into the fire

• Gives it to someone else

• Hitches it tighter

• Takes it off

What is the rich man's main concern?

• Keeping warm

• Getting more wood

• Finding a better place to sit

• Losing his wealth to the poor

What does the rich man think about while sitting back?

• His wealth

• His family

• The cold

• The fire