Symbolism
This object represents cruelty and abuse of power in Chapter 5.
What is the whip?
Buck collapses because the dogs are suffering from this.
What is exhaustion and starvation?
This character represents selfishness and materialism.
Who is Mercedes ?
This theme is suggested by - "It was heartbreaking, only Buck’s heart was unbreakable. The man in the red sweater had proved that."
What is only the strong survive?
This is what does London compares the starving dog team to.
What is skeletons?
This symbol represents hubris (excessive pride) and shows humans ignoring nature’s warnings and danger.
What is the thin river ice?
This happens when Buck refuses to pull the sled.
What is Hal beats Buck with a club/whip?
This character reads books but lacks real survival skills.
Who is Charles?
This theme is suggested by "They did not know how to do anything, and as the days went by it became apparent that they could not learn."
What is adapt or die?
These protect Buck’s feet from ice and cold.
What are moccasins?
Buck refusing to pull the sled symbolizes this trait.
What is wisdom / instinct / survival instinct?
This character saves Buck’s life by cutting him free.
Who is John Thornton?
This character believes confidence matters more than experience.
Who is Hal?
This theme is suggested by " He had a vague feeling of impending doom."
What is follow your instinct?
London uses this device in the line "he had a vague feeling of impending doom."
What is structural repetition?
This item symbolizes selfishness and poor judgment because it slows the dogs down.
What is the overloaded sled (supplies)?
This happens to Hal, Charles, and Mercedes at the end of the chapter.
What is they fall through the ice and die?
This character represents compassion and respect for nature.
Who is John Thornton?
This theme in The Call of the Wild was inspired by Charles Darwin's book Origin of Species.
What is survival of the fittest?
Hal, Charles, and Mercedes represent this idea.
What is ignorance?
Final Jeopardy Question:
Choose ONE symbol from Chapter 5 and explain the idea it represents and how it connects to the theme of survival.
Examples may include the whip, ice, sled, or Buck refusing to pull — all showing survival depends on wisdom and respect for nature.
When does the climax of Buck's character versus character conflict occurs?
What is when Buck refused to get up despite being beaten by Hal.
This dog was the first to die from Hal, Charles, and Mercede's ignorance.
Who is Dub?
The caveman Buck dreams about represents the bond between man and dog and points to this theme.
A bond exists between man and dog.
When London describes the beauty of spring, he juxtaposes a description of the dying dog team, developing this rhetorical device.
What is situational irony?