Definitions
Imperiously
Answer: Acting like a ruler or bossy.
Who is Buck?
The main character, a strong dog.
Where does Buck live in the beginning of the story?
Santa Clara Valley, California.
What historical event influences the story?
The Klondike Gold Rush.
What does Buck develop to survive in the wild?
Learning to steal food without getting caught.
Demesne
Answer: A person's land or estate.
Who is Manuel, and what does he do?
The gardener who steals and sells Buck.
Why is Buck kidnapped?
To be sold as a sled dog for the Klondike Gold Rush, and so Manuel can pay off his gambling debt.
What is the main setting of the story? (Not the beginning setting.)
The harsh, snowy wilderness.
How does Buck adapt to sleeping in the cold?
He digs a hole in the snow to stay warm.
Sated
Fully Satisfied
Who is the man in the red sweater?
A trainer who teaches Buck the "law of the club."
How does Buck react to Manuel and how does Buck react to the strangers?
Buck trusts Manuel and does not attack him, but resists and loses trust to all of the strangers.
What is one theme introduced in chapter 1?
Survival of the fittest.
What lesson does Buck learn from the other dogs?
He must fight for his place in the pack.
Treachery
Answer: Betrayal or Disloyalty
Who is "The Judge?"
Buck's original owner, Judge Miller, who resided in the Santa Clara Valley.
How does Buck learn about "the law of the club and fang?"
He is beaten with a club and sees other dogs fighting.
What does the "law of the club mean?"
That man is in control and dogs must obey or else.
How does Buck begin to develop his instincts?
He starts responding to dangers before they happen.
Insular
Isolated, like an island.
Who are Perrault and François?
French-Canadian couriers who buy Buck.
What is Buck's reaction to his new environment?
He begins to adapt and rely on his instincts.
How does Buck's environment shape him?
He begins to toughen up and become more instinctual.
What does Buck's ability to survive suggest about his nature?
He is returning to his primitive instincts.