The Ultimate Guide to The Call of the Wild by Jack London

The Call of the Wild, written by Jack London and published in 1903, is a novel that many would consider a classic. The story centers around the character of Buck, a domesticated dog who is stolen from his home and sold to a life of hardship in the wilds of the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush. This guide will explore the setting, plot, characters, themes, and the impact this book has had on American literature and beyond.

Setting

The Call of the Wild takes place primarily in the Yukon Territory of Canada during the Klondike Gold Rush, which lasted from 1896 to 1899. This period brought an influx of gold-seeking, ambitious people from all over North America to the remote and rugged Yukon. Jack London himself traveled to the Yukon in search of gold in 1897, and the experience provided the inspiration for the setting and atmosphere of The Call of the Wild.

Plot

The story follows the journey of a large St. Bernard–Scotch Shepherd mix named Buck. Born and raised in the lap of luxury on Judge Miller’s California estate, Buck’s life takes a sudden turn when he’s stolen and sold to work as a sled dog in the Yukon where the Klondike Gold Rush has driven the demand for strong dogs to haul goods and supplies.

As Buck adjusts to his new life, he experiences mistreatment and violence from both humans and other dogs. Battling the harsh environment, Buck begins to revert to his primal instincts and eventually takes on a new role as the leader of his sled team. His transformation continues as he faces more challenges, including his adoption by John Thornton, whose love and kindness help Buck rediscover the connection with humans.

However, after a tragic event involving Thornton, Buck fully embraces his wild nature and becomes part of a wolf pack, answering the call of the wild that has been growing stronger within him throughout his journey.

Characters

Buck - The protagonist of the story, Buck is a domesticated dog who transforms and adapts to his new life in the wild. Through his journey, he experiences the brutality of the natural world and the challenges of survival.
Spitz - The original leader of Buck’s sled team, Spitz is a fierce, cunning, and ruthless dog who sees Buck as a threat and becomes his rival.
John Thornton - The kindest human Buck encounters during his journey, John Thornton is a gold prospector who saves Buck’s life and forms a strong bond with him. His love and care for Buck restores the dog’s faith in humanity.
François and Perrault - Canadian mail drivers who first buy Buck and put him in their sled team. They recognize Buck’s potential and help him adapt to his new life as a sled dog.
Charles, Hal, and Mercedes - A trio of inexperienced gold-seekers who take charge of Buck’s sled team but mistreat their dogs and drive them to exhaustion and even death.
Dave and Sol-leks - Two experienced sled dogs from Buck’s team who teach him the ways of survival and pulling the sled.
The Wolf Pack - The group of wild wolves that Buck ultimately joins, representing his complete transformation into a wild creature.

Themes

Some prominent themes in The Call of the Wild include:

Nature versus civilization - The story explores the conflict between Buck’s domesticated origins and the natural instincts that drive him to survive and ultimately thrive in the wild.
Survival of the fittest - In the harsh environment of the Yukon, Buck learns that only the strong and resourceful can survive. His journey showcases his adaptation, strength, intelligence, and the growth needed to survive in a brutal landscape.
The power of love and loyalty - During his time with John Thornton, Buck rediscovers the bond he had with humans, displaying immense love, loyalty, and protectiveness for his new master.
Primordial instincts - The novel frequently alludes to Buck’s ancestral connections to wolves and other primordial creatures, suggesting a deeper, inherent drive within all living beings to revert to their primitive nature when faced with the forces of nature.

Impact and Legacy

The Call of the Wild has had a significant impact on American literature and beyond. It established Jack London as a popular writer and is often credited with helping to cement the genre of adventure fiction in American literature. The novel’s portrayal of the relationship between humans and dogs, as well as its themes of survival and adaptability, have resonated with readers across generations.

The Call of the Wild has been adapted into numerous films, including a 2020 version starring Harrison Ford as John Thornton. The novel has also influenced other authors, such as Ernest Hemingway, who once said, “I’ve always wanted to be able to write like Jack London; he’s the king of the dog story.”

For those interested in exploring more works by Jack London, his novel White Fang is often seen as a companion piece to The Call of the Wild, as it also features the Klondike setting and a canine protagonist experiencing a transformation.

Conclusion

The Call of the Wild is a gripping and thought-provoking adventure story that has captivated readers for over a century. It is a testament to Jack London’s storytelling prowess and offers a timeless exploration of the human and animal connection, the challenges of survival, and the power of love and loyalty.

If you are intrigued by The Call of the Wild and want to delve into the journey of Buck yourself, you can buy the book or listen to it here.