Characters
“The whole realm was his.” Who am I?
and... name one characteristic that describes . . .
“Buck can start a thousand pounds.” Who am I?
and... name one characteristic that describes . . .
Buck
-comfortable, domesticated, proud, protected
John Thornton
-trustworthy, compassionate, loving, respectful, strong
This object symbolizes human power and Buck’s lesson that strength controls survival.
Provide a quote.
The club
“A man with a club was a lawgiver, a master to be obeyed, though not necessarily conciliated.”
“He was beaten (he knew that); but he was not broken.”
The club symbolizes human power and authority. It teaches Buck that, in the harsh world he has entered, strength controls behavior and he must learn when to obey in order to survive.
This event begins Buck’s journey from a comfortable pet to a sled dog in the North.
Manuel selling Buck.
“No one saw him and Buck go off through the orchard on what Buck imagined was merely a stroll.”
“This man talked with Manuel, and money chinked between them.”
Setting: How does the harsh northern setting help awaken Buck’s primitive instincts?
....by forcing him to adapt, fight, and rely on instinct to survive
Character Trait: Buck’s refusal to let Sol-leks take the lead position reveals this trait about Buck.
Find evidence. Go!
DETERMINATION
“Buck sprang upon Sol-leks in a fury, driving him back and standing in his place.”
“He was preeminently cunning, and could bide his time with a patience that was nothing less than primitive.”
“He loved to play Chinese lottery.” Who am I?
and name one characteristic that describes . . .
How does Perrault help Buck and the other sled dogs during their journey? Evidence?
Manuel
-dishonest, greedy, untrustworthy, sneaky
Perrault helps Buck and the other dogs by guiding the sled team, caring for them on the trail, and keeping them moving safely through the harsh weather.
“As a rule, Perrault travelled ahead of the team, packing the snow with webbed shoes to make it easier for them.”
This represents Buck’s growing connection to his wild instincts and ancestral past.
Call of the Wild
“Buck was wildly glad. He knew he was at last answering the call.”
“Old memories were coming upon him fast.”
“Deep in the forest a call was sounding.”
“He was aware of wild yearnings and stirrings for he knew not what.”
It also represents Buck becoming less connected to human civilization and more connected to nature. As he hears the “call” of the wild, his instincts become stronger, and he begins to act more like his wolf ancestors. By the end, this connection shows that Buck has fully embraced his natural, wild identity.
This event teaches Buck the “law of club” and that humans with weapons have power.
Buck being beaten by the man in the red sweater.
“You’ve learned your place, and I know mine.”
“He saw, once for all, that he stood no chance against a man with a club.”
Character Development: How does Buck’s victory over Spitz show that he has changed since leaving Judge Miller’s estate?
...he has become more aggressive, strategic, and driven by survival instincts.
Character Trait: Buck’s ability to weaken Spitz’s authority before fighting him shows that Buck is more than physically strong; he is also this.
Strategic or Intelligent
“At a bound Buck took up the duties of leadership.”
“You’ve learned your place, and I know mine.”
Who am I?
and...
name one characteristic that describes . . .
What do Buck and the man in the red sweater come to understand about each other after their fight?
The man in the red sweater.
cruel, powerful, symbolic, strict, intimidating
Buck understands that the man is in control because of the club, and the man understands that Buck will obey him.
This symbolizes Buck’s old life of comfort and civilization before he is taken north.
Judge Miller's Estate
“During the four years since his puppyhood he had lived the life of a sated aristocrat.”
“And over this great demesne Buck ruled.”
“Buck lived at a big house in the sun-kissed Santa Clara Valley.”
It also represents safety, luxury, and innocence. At Judge Miller’s estate, Buck has food, shelter, and protection and does not have to fight to survive. After he is taken north, that comfortable life disappears, showing the contrast between civilization and the harsh wilderness.
This major fight allows Buck to become the leader of the sled team.
Buck defeating Spitz.
“Fang clashed fang, and lips were cut and bleeding.”
“Buck stood and looked on, the successful champion, the dominant primordial beast.”
Theme: What larger idea about leadership is shown when Buck refuses to let another dog take Spitz’s place?
...that leadership must be earned through strength, ability, and determination.
François’s reaction to Buck after Spitz’s defeat reveals that François recognizes Buck as this.
Natural Leader
“The dominant primordial beast was strong in Buck.”
“Dat Buck for sure learn queek as anyt’ing.” Who am I?
and name one characteristic that describes . . .
What does François do when Dolly goes mad and chases Buck?
Francois
-Fair, hardworking, experienced, observant, responsible
François stops Dolly by killing her with an axe, protecting Buck and the rest of the team.
This symbol represents the brutal law of survival among animals, where weakness can lead to death.
Fang
“So that was the way. No fair play. Once down, that was the end of you.”
“He had learned well the law of club and fang.”
This event saves Buck from being forced onto dangerous melting ice.
John Thornton rescuing Buck from Hal.
“Then he stooped, picked it up himself, and with two strokes cut Buck’s traces.”
“A whole section of ice give way and dogs and humans disappear.”
Symbolism: What does the phrase “dominant primordial beast” symbolize about Buck?
...his return to the ancient instincts and strength of his wild ancestors.
Buck’s increasingly instinctive behavior shows that this side of his personality is becoming dominant.
Primitive or Wild Nature
“Rest be blanked.” Who am I?
“The poor dears!” Who am I?
Name one trait for each character. . .
Hal and Mercedes
cruel, impatient, careless, inexperienced
spoiled, selfish, dependent, emotional
Hal and Mercedes are there to show what happens when inexperienced, selfish people try to survive in the North without respecting the dogs or the environment. Their poor decisions and mistreatment of the team contrast with more capable people like François and Perrault.
This symbol represents Buck’s wild ancestry, freedom, and his final connection to nature.
Wolf
“He was sounding the deeps of his nature, and of the parts of his nature that were deeper than he.”
“He ran with them, side by side with the wild brother.”
“He was a killer, a thing that preyed, living on the things that lived.”
This event causes Buck to fully leave human civilization and answer the call of the wild.
The death of John Thornton and Buck joining the wolves.
“John Thornton was dead. The last tie was broken.”
“He, too, sat down and howled.”
Motif: This recurring idea of ancient instincts and ancestral memory shows Buck becoming more connected to his primitive past.
...is the motif of returning to one’s wild ancestry
Buck’s ability to lead the team more effectively than Spitz reveals that his transformation is not just physical. What deeper change has taken place?
Buck has developed the instincts, confidence, and authority of a true leader.
“But it was in giving the law and making his mates live up to it, that Buck excelled.”