Buck relies on his instincts in the wild by learning to avoid humans with clubs after being beaten, understanding the brutal law of "club and fang," and adapting survival strategies like burrowing in snow and eating quickly. He also steals food without moral qualms, fights fiercely against huskies, and defeats Spitz due to his instinctual leadership. Buck's instincts save him from dangers such as thin ice, highlighting his regression to primitive survival tactics in the Northland.

John Thornton is considered the "ideal master" because he treats Buck with genuine affection and respect, unlike Buck's previous exploitative owners. Thornton's relationship with Buck is characterized by mutual understanding and deep emotional connection, akin to Audre Lorde's concept of "sharing deeply any pursuit." Thornton's treatment of Buck as a beloved companion rather than an object for exploitation fosters a profound bond, highlighted by his instinctive care and Buck's love for him.

The narrator illustrates Buck's transformation by depicting his gradual shift towards primal instincts and ferocity, mirroring his wild ancestors. During a journey with John Thornton, Buck becomes drawn to the wilderness, responding to the "call of the wild" and befriending a timber wolf, which awakens ancestral memories. The death of Thornton severs Buck's last tie to civilization, prompting him to fully embrace his untamed nature through vivid visual, auditory, and kinesthetic imagery.

The "Law of Club and Fang" in The Call of the Wild refers to the brutal code of survival in the wild. It signifies the necessity for animals to obey humans wielding clubs and the violent, tooth-and-claw competition among animals. This harsh reality shapes the protagonist, Buck, teaching him to respect human authority and to fight fiercely for survival.

The man in Buck's fireside dreams in The Call of the Wild represents Buck's ancestral memory and connection to his wild instincts. This figure, often depicted as a primitive human, symbolizes Buck's deep-seated, instinctual call to return to the wild and live freely, away from the domesticated life he has known.

No, Buck cannot go back to being a pet house dog. After all his adventures in the wild, he has let his instincts take over. He has learned to fight and hunt. He has learned that some humans are cruel. In the end, he gives in to the attraction of the wilderness and becomes completely wild, leading a pack of wolves as the Ghost Dog.

In The Call of the Wild, Buck transforms from a pampered pet at Judge Miller's estate to a wild creature of the wilderness. Initially living a carefree life, Buck is kidnapped and sold, experiencing human cruelty and learning to survive in the harsh northern environment. He adapts by embracing primitive instincts, eventually leading a wolf pack after his beloved owner, John Thornton, is killed. Buck's journey reflects a return to his ancestral roots, becoming the legendary Ghost Dog.

Buck's encounter with the man in the red sweater teaches him the harsh law of club and fang. This experience marks the beginning of Buck's transformation from a domesticated pet to a creature of the wild, as he learns to respect human authority and understand the brutal realities of his new environment.

In The Call of the Wild, wild characters are portrayed as instinctive, free, and in harmony with nature, while civilized characters are depicted as constrained by societal norms and often disconnected from their primal instincts. This distinction highlights the novel's exploration of the theme of survival and the inherent conflict between natural instincts and the imposed order of civilization.

In The Call of the Wild, Buck exhibits civil disobedience by resisting his human masters' attempts to domesticate him. He defies their commands and ultimately follows his primal instincts, rejecting human authority and embracing his wild nature, which symbolizes a return to his true essence and natural state.