The Call of the Wild

Author: Jack London
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: The Call of the Wild is Jack London's breakthrough work, published in 1903. The protagonist of the novel is a dog named Buck. The entire story is set against the backdrop of the Alaskan Gold Rush and tells the process of how Buck, a domesticated dog from the South, degenerates into a wild state that is neither fully dog nor fully wolf, in the harsh northern environment for survival. Buck is an enormous mixed-breed dog, stolen from his Southern owners and sold, eventually embarking on the gold rush journey and becoming a sled dog. Through the brutal taming process, he learns the laws of justice and nature; the harsh living environment teaches him cunning and deceit, which he later masterfully employs to an unparalleled extent. After a ruthless, life-and-death struggle, he finally establishes his position as the leader of the pack. During the arduous sled-pulling journey, the owner changes several times, and Buck forms an inseparable bond of deep affection with his last master. This master once rescued him from extremely heavy labor, and in turn, Buck repeatedly saves his master. In the end, after his beloved master meets with misfortune, he ventures into the wilderness, answering the call of the wild that he had long yearned for throughout his journey.