Jack London, the author of The Call of the Wild, was a well known journalist, novelist, and explorationist born in the mid nineteenth Century. He began his writing career in the late 1890’s after his experience out west during the Gold Rush. Though the gold rush did not make London rich, it gave him ample material to write about. The Gold Rush was a short period of time in America’s history; during this time almost three hundred thousand gold thirsty men traveled to California trying to strike it rich. Originally published in 1903, soon after the Gold Rush, The Call of the Wild, is one of his novels that formed from his experiences out west. Spending so much time in the wild, Jack London witnessed the struggle for survival and exalted beings …show more content…
at first hand, along with many other theories that apply to the writings and beliefs of scientist Charles Darwin and Philosopher Henri Bergson. Charles Darwin’s work named, Origin of Species, was published in 1859. Darwin, a 19th century English naturalist who contributed to the evolutional theory, expresses his central ideas of how evolution takes place through natural selection, and how all species have evolved from one or few common ancestors. These themes are shown in much detail in chapters III and XIV of his piece. Another one of these related writers is Henri Bergson, a philosopher in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and the author of Creative Evolution, published in 1907. Bergson was most successful in his philosophies in the early 20th century; these philosophies include ideas of inheritance and parental dispositions. In The Call of the Wild by Jack London, there are elements of the theories expressed in Charles Darwin’s and Bergson’s writings; Darwin’s ideas of the variability from the direct actions of external conditions of life, and the struggle for existence between one and an individual of a distinct species, along with Bergson’s conviction of how we inherit memories which make us stronger, these points are all evident in London’s novel. One of the these two theorists, Darwin, expresses the idea of how variability is caused by the direct and indirect external conditions of life. In the words of Darwin, “These laws, taken in the largest sense, being Growth with Reproduction;”... “Variability from the indirect and direct action of the external conditions of life, and from use and disuse” (Darwin XIV). Darwin is saying that the things that happen to oneself both directly and indirectly cause change within them physically or mentally; these changes foster growth within the living being. This is shown in The Call of the Wild when Buck is encountering the cold snow on his feet. Buck’s feet had grown soft over the many generations of easy living outside of the Alaskan wilderness causing him to lose his primitive trait of having hard feet. When Buck was brought into an opposite environment within an instant, his feet had a hard time adjusting to the Klondike, a cold and brutal environment. All of the other sled dogs have compact, hard feet which help them to easily run on the snow; Buck did not have this trait in the beginning causing his feet to become injured. London writes, Also the dog driver rubbed Buck’s feet for half an hour each night after supper, and sacrificed the tops of his own moccasins to make four moccasins for Buck. This was a great relief, and Buck caused even the weazened face of Perrault to twist itself into a grin one morning, when Francois forgot the moccasins and Buck lay on his back, his four feet waving appealingly in the air, and refused to budge without them. Later his feet grew hard to the trail, and the worn-out footgear was thrown away. (London 31) Here we see an example of how Buck was indirectly affected by the climate of the Klondike; the irregular snow caused his feet to become injured. Additionally, Perrault directly affected him by making him the boots which helped him to survive the cold snow and repair his feet. Here we see that London prevails Darwin’s theory of how variability is caused by the direct and indirect conditions of life through Buck’s experiences with the Klondike environment. Similarly, another example of Darwin’s idea of how the effects of the direct external conditions of life change a character is shown in The Call of the Wild; when John Thornton saves Buck from Hal and his aggressive actions. When Hal stops his dog team just outside of Thornton's camp, he begins to prepare to cross the ice. Buck knew that the ice was unsafe and decided to not jump to his feet on the command of his owner; However, Hal did not approve of this and he began to abuse and injure the dogs, especially Buck. John thornton sees this and decides to interfere: John Thornton stood over Buck, struggling to control himself, too convulsed with rage to speak. ‘If you strike that dog again, I'll kill you,’ he at last managed to say in a choking voice. ‘It's my dog,’ Hal replied, wiping the blood from his mouth as he came back. ‘Get out of my way, or I'll fix you. I'm going to Dawson.’ Thornton stood between him and Buck, and evinced no intention of getting out of the way (London 68). John Thornton is acting directly upon Buck which changes him for the better. Buck’s death was impending. If Thornton had not stood up for Buck, he may not have lived through the beating. This is an example of a direct action acting upon Buck in a positive way. Buck’s condition was then changed allowing him to grow without being held back by his cruel owner. Another Darwin theory is centered around the idea that there is a struggle for existence caused by the conflict between one and individuals from a distinct species; this is shown in The Call of the Wild between Buck and the man in the red sweater.
First off, in Darwin’s Origin of the Species, he says, “Hence, as more individuals are produced than can possibly survive, there must in every case be a struggle for existence, either one individual with another of the same species, or with the individuals of distinct species” (Darwin III). In this portion of Darwin’s piece he is expressing his belief of how struggle for existence can originate from conflicts between one individual and a distinct species. For example, in The Call of the Wild, Buck encounters a man, “the man in the red sweater”. Buck falls under the domain of “the man in the red sweater”, an aggressive man, one of the many men that Buck is treated badly by before he is saved by John Thornton. This man clubs Buck when he does not obey, and Buck not being used to this type of treatment takes time to adjust. He eventually learns that if he does not obey this distinct species, a human, he will be punished. London writes about Buck and says, “He was beaten (he knew that); but he was not broken. He saw, once for all, that he stood no chance against a man with a club. He had learned his lesson, and in all his after life he never forgot it. That club was a revelation. It was his introduction to the reign of primitive law” (London 10). Here London is speaking about Buck. He says that Buck has now learned that he has no chance against a man with a club. Additionally he says that he has learned his lesson to obey a man with a club in order to protect himself. This is showing how there is a conflict between man and dog, one and a distinct species; this creates a struggle for existence for Buck yet he overcomes this struggle and grows from his mistakes and
lessons. Mistakes and lessons are something that every living thing experiences, Jack London writes in parallel with a third theory, one from Bergson: specifically Bergson's idea of how we inherit memories and they make us stronger. As Bergson says in his piece, Creative Evolution, “But, even though we may have no distinct idea of it, we feel vaguely that our past remains present to us. What are we, in fact, what is our character, if not the condensation of the history that that we have lived from our birth nay, even before our birth, since we bring with us prenatal dispositions” (Bergson). In other words, Bergson is expressing how you inherit memories and experiences from your parents and ancestors; these memories will help you to be a stronger form of your species. This is because you will have stronger, more powerful instincts that you follow because of your parental dispositions. Similarly, in The Call of the Wild, when Buck is laying near the fire and looking into it, he begins to see things. He visualizes scenes that he has never experienced in his actual life: “Far more potent were the memories of his heredity that gave things he had never seen before a seeming familiarity; the instincts (which were but the memories of his ancestors become habits) which had lapsed on later days, and still later, in him, quickened and became alive again” (London 46). What this scene in The Call of the Wild means, is that these memories are from his heredity and his ancestors. He has never experienced these things that he saw before; however, he sees them so clearly that it seems he has in this life. These memories are seen so clear and so familiar to Buck because they are inherited memories from his ancestors; these memories are what form his primordial instincts. Within The Call of the Wild by Jack London, there are ideas that relate to those of the theories of Charles Darwin and Henri Bergson. The theories of Darwin of the direct actions of external conditions of life, and the struggle for existence between one and the individual of a distinct species. The direct actions of external conditions of life are shown in The Call of the Wild: for example, when Buck had to learn to cope with the cold snow on his feet. Those harsh changes caused him to grow and become stronger. Yet another Darwin theory is that there is a struggle for existence caused between one and a distinct species. This is seen in The Call of the Wild when Buck is clubbed and injured by the man in the red sweater; Buck has to learn to obey humans or else there will be consequences. These changes in his attitude caused him to grow and be able to live in his new environment better as well as to become a stronger being. Finally, Bergson’s thoughts of how we inherit memories from our parents and ancestors which make us stronger. This happens in London’s novel when Buck is looking into the fire one day and sees an image. He sees the primitive man, something that only one of his ancestors would have seen, along with other images. These help him to realize his instincts and what he was breed to do; this causes Buck to change and grow by finding who he is meant to be. Throughout his novel, London shows characters growing due to changes in their environments, personalities, or realizations. This is related to both Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species, and Henri Bergson’s Creative Evolution: these two theories of evolution are imperative to explain how species have come to what they are today. In The Call of the Wild, London portrays these and shows how Buck would never survive if it was not for the changes in his conditions which fostered growth.
Into the Wild by John Krakauer is a rare book in which its author freely admits his bias within the first few pages. “I won't claim to be an impartial biographer,” states Krakauer in the author’s note, and indeed he is not. Although it is not revealed in the author's note whether Krakauer's bias will be positive or negative, it can be easily inferred. Krakauer's explanation of his obsession with McCandless's story makes it evident that Into the Wild was written to persuade the reader to view him as the author does; as remarkably intelligent, driven, and spirited. This differs greatly from the opinion many people hold that McCandless was a simply a foolhardy kid in way over his head. Some even go as far as saying that his recklessness was due to an apparent death-wish. Krakauer uses a combination of ethos, logos and pathos throughout his rendition of McCandless’s story to dispute these negative outlooks while also giving readers new to this enigmatic adventure a proper introduction.
Jack London whose birth name is John Griffin was known for his fiction adventurous novels. Although he was a sailor, gold prospector, rancher and served his country in the Army he still have yet served the time in the wilderness of Alaska. Jack London wrote ‘’The Call of the Wild’’ as if he lived it before. His words jump at you so viciously you had no choice to swallow, savor, and meditate on your life just like Chris McCandless. In the book ways of reading page 429 the dark knight of the soul by Richard E. Miller said that Jon Krakauer wrote about how Jack London actually persuade Chris McCandless that he could possibly escape the bonds of the corporatized world and reach a space of greater calm.
Jon Krakauer, fascinated by a young man in April 1992 who hitchhiked to Alaska and lived alone in the wild for four months before his decomposed body was discovered, writes the story of Christopher McCandless, in his national bestseller: Into the Wild. McCandless was always a unique and intelligent boy who saw the world differently. Into the Wild explores all aspects of McCandless’s life in order to better understand the reason why a smart, social boy, from an upper class family would put himself in extraordinary peril by living off the land in the Alaskan Bush. McCandless represents the true tragic hero that Aristotle defined. Krakauer depicts McCandless as a tragic hero by detailing his unique and perhaps flawed views on society, his final demise in the Alaskan Bush, and his recognition of the truth, to reveal that pure happiness requires sharing it with others.
Jack London has written a classic short story in the 1908 version of "To Build a Fire." This is the classic story of man fighting nature. In most genres (e.g. movies, novels, short stories) the main character comes out on top, however unlikely that is. Jack London takes literary naturalism and shows the reader how unmerciful nature is. Much like Stephen Crane in "The Open Boat," in which the one of the characters dies, London doesn't buy into that "has to have a good ending" contrivance. Through analysis of two London's letters (to R.W. Gilder and Cloudesly Johns) these two versions of "To Build a Fire" come alive with new meaning. Although there are many differences on the surface, both stories use his philosophy as expressed to Johns and both teach a moral lesson, one which will not soon be forgotten: "Never travel alone."
Jack London wrote the novel The Call of the Wild; it was also his first success (Feast). The Call of the Wild is an exciting beast fable which dramatizes the unforgiving harshness of existence but shows that suffering can lead to heroic self-awareness (Buckner). London was big on the philosophical idea of Naturalism. As well as having links with literary naturalism, "The Call of the Wild is also a mythical book informed throughout with such traditional myths as the Myth of the Hero." Although Buck is always a dog throughout the story, his predicament is highly relevant to the human condition in a novel beginning with concise patterns of description and moving toward an increasingly lyrical style (Williams). The protagonist of The Call of the Wild is a dog named Buck. He's part German Sheppard and half Saint Bernard, he's labeled the "hero" of the story. The story takes place primarily in the Klondike region of Alaska except for in the first chapter it takes place in the Santa Clara Valley of California. The story is centrally focused around Buck; if it wasn't for him not having any speaking parts the reader would think he was a human because of the personality traits he possesses. In this paper we will discuss traits such as Buck's ability to adapt, Buck's bravery, his mental and physical strength, his loyalty and love and his instinct of the wild.
“Into the Wild” is a thought-provoking yet tragic film that depicts Sean Penn’s adaptation of the nonfiction novel by Jon Krakauer. The film portrays the gruesome fate of Christopher Johnson McCandless, a brave, charming, and troubled 22-year-old college graduate who set out into the natural world on a path of self-discovery and true happiness. In the beginning of the film Chris McCandless is introduced as a dreamer. His literary heroes included transcendentalists Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Jack London. The thinking behind McCandless’ rash decision stems from his anger with his parents for the lies and infidelities he witnessed as a child. Another contribution included his affinity for nature as it symbolized freedom and his desire to escape civilization. Following in the footsteps of his heroes, McCandless donated his $24,000 funding for law school to charity, gave away all of his material possessions, and left his family and friends with vague letters of his whereabouts. For 2 years, Chris adopted an alias as Alexander
The novella The Call of the Wild is a story of Buck overcoming challenges while being thrown into the real world and learning new traits like persistence and resilience. Protagonist Buck is a colossal St Bernards cross Scotch shepherd dog, transforms from a humble house dog and then eventually returns to a primordial state as a best of the wild. Along the way he is faced with an endless array of challenges. London achieves this by portraying Buck’s change in character in a manner that explores and incorporates diverse motifs.
Jack London was an American man of many talents, which included being an author, journalist and a social activist, despite being minimally educated. Nonetheless, he was undoubtedly most recognized for his short stories and novels that fixated on the harsh, cold climates that Mother Nature crafted. London focused on a deeper level of the wild and the literary devices in his work are littered throughout every one of his novels and short stories, including The Call of the Wild, White Fang, as well as “To Build a Fire.”
In doing so, he creates a character that acts like an animal, but thinks like a man. His humanity is what allows him to survive under the rule of man. He understands his role as being inferior to man, but superior to the other dogs. Buck learns that the men and dogs around him “knew no law but the law of club and fang” (London 15). Therefore, Buck adapts and abides by this law, creating a place for himself in the social hierarchy of the Northland. “The ability to keep his mental strength, even when his physical energy was sapped, is one thing that separates Buck from the other dogs” (Kumin 103). Although all dogs are the heroes in The Call of the Wild, Buck connects the most with the reader. As the story is told through his perspective, the reader empathizes with Buck more than the other dogs. The mental strength that Kumin references in the above quote stems from Buck’s human characteristics. Buck is a character that exemplifies the traits of all men, including Jack London himself. His human spirit makes this connection possible, and creates a bond between Buck and the
Jack London is the name you can hear everywhere, his writing appealed to millions of people all around the world. London was an American novelist and short-story writer, who wrote passionately about questions of life and death, surviving. The writer had a lot of adventures, experienced the life at sea, or in Alaska, or in the fields and factories of California, all of these influenced his writing style. Jack London descended from the family of his mother Flora and astrologer and journalist William Chaney. The writer has got his education by himself and with help of a librarian Ina Coolbrith - he has a passion to read books at public libraries. Later in life, Jack finally graduated from high school in Oakland. Jack London's work carrier was so variable, he has been a laborer, factory worker, and oyster pirate on the San Francisco Bay, member of the California Fish Patrol, sailor, railroad hob, and gold prospector. Yes, gold prospecting was the big part of his life, when the young writer with his brother-in-law sailed to join the Klondike Gold Rush where he would set his first successful stories. Jack London was a hard-worker, he tried never miss his early morning 1,000-word writing stint, what helped him to write over fifty books between 1900 and 1916. In addition to it, he corresponded with his readers, and made huge researches for improving his writing style, what is, obviously, genius. The consequences of such a hard work became the fact that Jack London had become the best selling, highest paid and most popular American author of his time. Many authors and social advocates have been inspired by Jack London’s heartfelt prose, and readers travel and experience so much through his books.
Jack London brings man versus nature discussion into his story. The environment, however doesn't play against him for say, but does warn him from the very beginning. The audience can conclude that just like “the man” everyone is alone in the world - fighting for ourselves and the things we wish to acquire. The character created by London is isolated from the universe and fooli...
Being civilized and being wild are two different ways to live that have many differences. Being civilized means that the people around you have a home, have food to eat, have a job, and that there is a developed society around you. On the other hand, being wild would mean that you would have to find your own food, find your own home, and fight for yourself. In the story, Call of the Wild, the main character Buck was a civilized dog living in a civilized place and then became a wild dog living in a wild place. The author, Jack London stated that “Buck quickly lost the fastidiousness that characterized his old life.” This showed that Buck quickly lost his ways of being civilized and started to adapt to the wild. To
The Primordial Beast The German-language writer of novels, Franz Kafka, once stated “Isolation is a way to know ourselves.”. The book The Call Of The Wild is a novel written by Jack London, an american novelist, journalist, and social activist. The novel takes place in California and Alaska where a dog, named Buck, is separated from his culture of being around and loyal to men and is forced to travel north and become a sled dog. In The Call Of The Wild, Buck is introduced to a desolate world of freezing temperatures and isolation that affects him by reviving the primitive character inside him, conveying the theme that harsh conditions force individuals to adapt and develop essential characters. Buck is exposed to a frozen land full of isolation
This novel absolutely shows Darwin’s law since the wolves and dogs have to kill to stay alive. If they come across the wrong dog, they are dead. This novel says that Buck, the main character, feels the instincts of his ancestors coursing through his blood and that his instincts are embodied and put in his dreams as a man sitting next to a fire (London, 1979). Buck is a great example of Darwin’s law as he goes from a lazy housedog to a leader of a wolf pack (London, 1979). Buck shows that the instincts he inherited was not learned because he instantly knew how to deal with the moose.
Jack London uses the idea of Darwinism in White Fang and in Call of the Wild. According to Charles Darwin, this is the theory of survival of the fittest. Jack uses this theory throughout both of these books, thus gives the reader a good idea of what is going to happen in the book, and how it is going to pan out. Buck started out as a tame dog and ate whatever the judge had fed him, then later started eating wild food and ate whatever was on the trail. The eating habits of White Fang had really changed from the time he was a pup to his final destination with Weeden Scott in California.