Which statement best compares a literary technique used in both "gumption" and "to build a fire"? both use a pivotal event that foreshadows what happens at the end of the story. both stories contain an ending that is a surprise to readers. both use flashback to provide crucial background to the characters’ situation.. both stories use extensive dialogue to build conflict between the characters.

Both use flashback to provide crucial background to the characters’ situation is the best comparison of literary technique used in both "Gumption" and "To Build a Fire".

"To Build a Fire" written by Jack London's is a sequential story and "Gumption" is a descriptive story. Though they have different structures, the stories character have a flashblack to enhance their crucial background.

Jack London's narrated about the young miner in "To Build A Fire" which has a tragic end. He arrived to Yukon territory to search gold. He ignored the warnings of natives in order to find his friends location. Man versus nature was described through his journey to the mining camp.Ignoring the warning of others, he ventures out in the cold towards his friends' location. His journey to the mining camp is that of man versus nature.