Illustration of Buck in the snow with mountains in the background

The Call of the Wild

by Jack London

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Topics for Discussion

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1. Compare Buck's life on the ranch to his life in the wild. Which environment is more suitable for Buck? Explain why.

2. What attributes does Buck possess that make him superior to other dogs? What characteristics contribute to his effectiveness as a leader?

3. What is "the law of club and fang," and how does it function?

4. Why do Hal, Charles, and Mercedes fail to survive on the trail? Discuss several reasons for their failure.

5. Buck begins to dream of a ragged, hairy man crouching by a fire. Where do these dreams originate? What is their significance?

6. Outline the stages of Buck's regression, highlighting the main factors driving his transformation.

7. Jack London uses terms like "primordial," "inexorable," "carnivorous," and "wraith" to describe Buck. What do these words mean, and how well do they depict Buck?

8. How does Buck's attitude toward humans change over time due to his experiences?

9. Describe how Buck ultimately becomes part of Yeehat legend.

10. What can you learn about dog-sledding from reading The Call of the Wild? What skills are essential for survival on the trail?

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