In James Patrick Kinney’s poem The Cold Within the poet has presented six different ‘humans’ with discriminatory attitude towards others. In that sense every one of them is same — they hold ill-feelings against others.

But still, the last man is quite different from the previous five people mentioned in the poem. While the earlier men were having prejudice and discrimination against a particular group who contrast with them in terms of social class, religious faith or colour, the last man was not prejudiced. He was rather selfish and did everything only for gain. He would give something to those who could give him something in return.

The last man of this forlorn group
Did nought (nothing) except for gain.
Giving only to those who gave
Was how he played the game.

However, a stubborn opportunist in such circumstances like a chill winter evening is as bad as the earlier people, all of whom were unwilling to share their logs for helping others.