Jacqueline Tavernier-Courbin's The Call Of The Wild

Throughout her article, Jacqueline Tavernier-Courbin explores Jack London’s use of Buck, the protagonist, to portray literary myth in The Call of the Wild. She begins by defining the concept of myth and all the aspects that help to create it, emphasizing how it can be seen and interpreted in many different ways. Background is provided on how the idea of myths originating from man’s unconscious came to be. They develop at random throughout new generations and are used to emphasize human emotions, actions, and motivations. Tavernier-Courbin also discusses the use of different aspects that encompass myth in Greek mythology. She then lists the different genres of myth utilized in The Call of the Wild that are seen in modern day society. The concept
of a mythical hero involves complexity, but is commonly used and known to follow a universal pattern. The article identifies the adventure of a hero in mythical terms, following the pattern of separation, initiation, and return. Examples and quotes are used to argue how Buck’s adventure fits these typical stages, therefore making him a mythical hero. The idea of John Thornton’s influence of civilization and love acting as the benevolent helper who leads the hero towards his or her goal also backs up this argument. In addition, the use of landscape creates myth and a ‘zone of unknown’, therefore serving as evidence to back up the claim. Tavernier-Courbin also presents the contrasting viewpoints critics, such as James Cooper and Ann Upton, have about which events fall into the stages of separation, initiation, and return. The article also presents Upton’s beliefs of London’s use of Buck to serve as a symbol of the wolf exploring his own nature and how Buck is both a destroyer and preserver. In addition to the mythical hero, the other vital aspect of myth that occurs in the novel is Pastoral Myth. It closely resembles the values of the American Dream, encompassing the desire of escaping from the complexity of civilization to the natural, simplistic world. Background of the use of pastoral myth throughout history and American literature is provided. Tavernier-Courbin incorporates the ideas of Raymond Benoit in her article to show the presence of two types of heroes in The Call of the Wild, “Franklins” and “Thoreaus”, proving the novel encompasses aspects of Pastoral Myth. Tavernier-Courbin concludes by summarizing the main points stated throughout the article and comparing and contrasting it with patterns seen in other American literature.