The Call Of The Wild

Title: The Call of the Wild

Author: Jack London

Type of book: Fiction

Date Completed: September 12, 2001

Summary:

The novel, The Call of the Wild, follows a four-year-old mixed Saint Bernard and Scottish shepherd, named Buck. In the beginning of the story, Buck lives in the home of Judge Miller, located at Santa Clara Valley, California. In Santa Clara, Buck lives a luxurious life. At the time of the story, gold is discovered in the North. With this discovery, the value of large dogs like Buck escalated dramatically. The dog’s value was due most to their ability to haul heavy sleds through the abundant snow. Unfortunately, Judge Miller’s servant, Manuel steals Buck to sell him to a band of dog-nappers to pay for his accumulating gambling debts. The ring of thieves that bought Buck is gaining a secure banking by trading the dog to northern executives. Buck, who has had an easy life so far, does not adapt well to the terrain as the other canines do. Buck does not easily tolerate the confinement and mistreatment of his new authority. Buck’s gains the misconception, which then is an aide that any man with a club is a dominator and must be obeyed.

After an expedition into the North Buck discovers his new location and temporary home. Once arrived buck rapidly accommodates to his new environment. Buck masters many skills that are mandatory to survive in his new habitat. Buck discovers that he can rely on his animal instinct and basic intellect to acquire the essentials to exist in the tundra. One of the most significant concepts learned by Buck is that while being attacked his must take an offense to survive. Another essential concept Buck grasps is that he must be at constant alert and that his size makes him inferior to others. Buck’s quick adaptations assist in his survival.

Following being starved for numerous days, Buck’s original instinct to kill and eat raw meat is revived within. During this occasion, Buck is opposed against Spitz, the vigorous, dynamic, hierarch of the sled team. Buck and Spitz have a couple of battles against each other; however, the fight in Buck makes the outcome victorious on Buck’s behalf. Buck then becomes conductor of the sled team. This rank of authority makes the superiority of Buck even more prominent. During this rank, Buck attains the admiration of his current masters, Perrault and François, who challenge Buck for quite sometime.