I believe it's C. Whitney’s description of Ship-Trap Island instantly puts the reader into the right mood to read the story.
Synonyms include: squeamish, conscientious, choosy, and scrupulous.
In Jack London's "To build a fire" the main theme is Man vs. Nature, the main character is crossing the Alaskan frozen landscape, following the path of the Yukon river. He dismisses the advice of the old-timer and he also doesn't pay attention to his companion, the dog who can feel the threat of the harsh weather. The right answer is the second option.