Wildness In Call Of The Wild

The Call of the Wild: Buck's Journey to Find Himself

(1) “Kingdoms are but cares,/Crowns so heavily lay,/Riches are ready snares,/And hasten us to decay,” notes King Henry VI of England in Shakespeare’s play as he longs to escape the entrapment of his inheritance and make his own way in the world, to become his true self. (2) In Jack London’s classic novel The Call of the Wild, his young protagonist the dog Buck has inherited his position as “King” of Judge Miller’s place. (3) However, his remaining on this splendid ranch would condemn Buck to mediocrity. (4) Buck is a descendant of the wild, and it’s only there that he can truly find his place in the world, his destiny as a wild animal.

(5) At the beginning, Buck, stripped of his former

identity as "King" of Judge Miller's estate, begins his quest for a new identity by achieving survival, safety, and security. (6) First, Buck must be apprenticed into this strange and brutal world. (7) For example, he must learn its laws such as the one taught by the man in the red sweater that “a man with a club is a lawgiver and must be obeyed.” (8) Since Buck survives this initiation by blood, he has passed his first test. (9) Second, Buck learns the "law of fang." (10) For instance, Buck witnesses the merciless killing and ripping to pieces of his friend Curly by a pack of huskies. (11) Since Buck recognizes in this death the law of fang, he knows that he must never lose a fight, his safety. (12) Last, Buck becomes a valuable member of a dogsled team. (13) For example, as Francois notes on several occasions, Buck quickly learns how to pull the dogsled and is a true asset to the team; he characterizes Buck as "one in a thousand." (14) Since Buck has become an excellent sled dog, he has a sense of security now. (15) In conclusion, by the end of the Chapter 2, Buck has achieved the first three steps in his quest for his true identity: survival, safety and security.
(16) Next, Buck must earn recognition and status among his peers, and even love and affection. (17) First, Buck quickly adapts to life as a sled dog. (18) For example, he learns the commands of Francois and Perrault, who value him highly as is evident by their special treatment such as feeding him more than the other dogs, rubbing his feet at the end of each day’s run, and Francois making him shoes from his own moccasin boots. (19) Since Buck is so quickly earning the couriers' recognition, he is a step closer to his quest. (20) Second, the other dogs sense not to challenge Buck. (21) For instance, the other dogs use Buck as a shield against their psychopathic lead dog Spitz, who recognizes in Buck a formidable rival. (22) Since Buck is adopted as a protector by the other dogs and an enemy by Spitz, his status has risen in the world. (23) Last, in Chapter 5 Buck finds unconditional love. (24) For example, Buck risks his own life twice to save John Thornton and wins him a $1,600 bet. (25) Since John Thornton loves Buck, refuses an offer to sell him, allowing him to search for his true identity in the wilderness. (26) In conclusion, through Buck's attainment of recognition, status, and love, his transformation is nearly complete.
(27) Finally, in Chapter 7 Buck totally embraces his wildness.

(28) First, Buck begins by hunting wild game. (29) For example, Buck kills a black bear and a bull moose and eats from their corpses. (30) Since Buck can kill his own meat and consume it, he is nearly wild. (31) Second, Yeehat Indians attack John Thornton’s camp unleashing Buck's wildness. (32) For instance, Buck, who no longer recognizes Man’s laws, slaughters the Yeehats despite their weapons, “…they heard a fearful roar and saw rushing upon them an animal the like of which they had never seen before. (33) Buck, a hurricane of fury, hurled himself on them in a frenzy to destroy.” (35) Since Buck can attack and kill Man, he is now wild. (36) Last, Buck joins a wolf pack. (37) For example, Buck is confronted by a wolf pack and must battle his way into the pack. (38) Since Buck will eventually lead and pack and pass on his superior natural traits to his offspring, Buck, a descendant of the wild, has answered the call of the wild. (39) In conclusion, Buck has found his true identity as a wild animal.

(40) “It takes so much to be a king/he exists only as such it seems,” Henry VI confesses at the end of Shakespeare’s play. (41) In The Call of the Wild, Buck escapes that strangling fate, and becomes so much more than he could ever have if he had remained on Judge Miller’s Place. (42) By the end of the book, Buck has made himself into a legend, the Ghost Dog “that runs at the head of the pack” and which strikes fear in the Yeehats for his cunning and courage—the predominant primordial

beast.

Mr. Peats 2nd Period 11/15/15