Characters
Who is Buck at the beginning versus the end?
At the beginning of the book, Buck is a house dog who doesn't know how to survive in the wild. At the end of the book, Buck learns how to survive and eventually joins the wolf pack
What was the Klondike Gold Rush?
Why is Buck stolen?
Manuel steals and sells Buck to earn money for his family (and to compensate for his gambling addiction)
What is "the law of club and fang"?
What is true authority?
Leading by example
Who is Spitz and why is he a poor leader?
Spitz was the leader of the sled dogs. He is a poor leader because he often bullies the other dogs for no reason, he constantly picks fights with them, and he leads more for power than to help the team grow.
Why were sled dogs valuable?
There were no other methods of transportation in Yukon
What happens to Curly?
She is attacked and killed by Spitz and several other dogs after trying to be friendly to them.
What does leadership mean in the novel?
Doing what is best for the team
How does Buck show responsibility?
By doing what is best for the pack and not just what is best for himself
Why is John Thornton important?
He takes Buck from Hal, Charles, and Mercedes, and he takes care of Buck while Buck learns to survive.
How does the environment affect survival?
Survival may depend on whether or not food, water, and/or shelter is available
How does Buck become the leader of the pack?
By defeating Spitz
How does Buck learn wisdom?
He follows the other dogs' example
Where do we see justice?
When Spitz is killed
What role does Judge Miller play?
He was Buck's former owner before Buck was kidnapped by Manuel.
What dangers exist in the Yukon?
Ice, cold temperatures, wild animals
Why does Buck refuse to pull the sled?
He knows that if he pulls it, it will just lead the dogs and humans to their deaths
What is the "call of the wild"?
The inner pull toward nature
How does memory shape Buck's actions?
By remembering what the other dogs do, Buck learns to survive in the wild
They overpack, underplan, and have no experience
Why is setting crucial to the story?
Buck's journey wouldn't have happened without the Yukon Gold Rush, and the Yukon also gives him the challenge of survival
What happens after Thornton's death?
Buck joins a wolf pack
How does Buck's journey end?
He joins a wolf pack
How does Buck's journey relate to vocation?
Buck's call to join the wolves is similar to our call to sainthood