Call of the Wild Summary

“The Call of the Wild” The “Call of the Wild” is a novel written by Jack London from the mind and eyes of a dog named Buck. In this story Buck learns many lessons but they are all wrapped up with this thought, the weak are controlled by the strong and the animalistic appetite is what keeps you alive. Mr. London begins the book by introducing us to the main character “Buck” who lives on a farm owned by Judge Miller. Buck is living his life out as a happy, go-lucky dog with no responsibilities in life but to enjoy it. His dream life comes to an abrupt end when gold is discovered in the Klondike region of Canada in the late 1800’s. Because of Buck’s size (he’s a cross between a sheepdog and a St. Bernard), he is taken and sold to dog traders who teach him the “rule of the club.” These men train him by showing Buck the power of the club which teaches him a lesson that will serve him well in the years to come. After his “training session” Buck is shipped to the North where he finds a completely different atmosphere than he enjoyed on the farm. It’s a very cold and cruel place. His first lesson with the reality of life in the Klondike could be entitled, “The Survival of the Fittest.” It comes at the expense of a dog named Curly who was violently attacked by a pack of huskies and killed right in front of Buck; he vows to never let the same thing happen to him. After being sold to a couple of mail carriers he begins to adjust to the life of a sled dog. Buck learns to fend for himself by scavenging for food and becoming a fierce fighter. He also gets involved in a running feud with the lead dog whose name was Spitz. This is another one of Mr. London’s lessons that we are to never be satisfied with being in the “back of the pack.” Buck eventually kills Spitz and takes his place as the lead dog. Buck has great success as the lead dog making record times. And as life in the Klondike continues, he finds himself being traded from one