White Fang | Themes
Nature versus Nurture
The overarching theme of the novel is that heredity and environment each contribute to White Fang’s fate. London comes down on the side of nurture as being the more powerful force. White Fang’s nature is malleable, and he adjusts to whatever conditions his environment presents in order to survive. Under the abuse of Beauty Smith, White Fang becomes a killer seething with hate; under the loving hand of Weedon Scott, he becomes a gentle pet.
While this theme is woven throughout the novel, it is stated explicitly in these lines:
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