The protagonist of the novel, Buck, is a mixed breed dog weighing 140 pounds, with Scottish shepherd and Saint Bernard ancestry. Previously leading a comfortable life as a pampered pet in California under the control of Judge Miller, just like his father, he transforms into a savage creature due to his new surroundings.
During the Canadian Gold Rush, Buck is stolen by a servant named Manuel and sold to Francois and Perrault, who are Post Officers in need of strong sledge dogs for the icy conditions. Buck quickly realizes that he is no match for Manuel after being “broken” and learns to obey commands. He is shocked by his new environment and comes to understand that fairness does not exist here, especially after witnessing the death of another dog named Curly. Buck adapts to his surroundings and receives guidance from the more experienced dogs. Through hard work and exercise, Buck undergoes a transformation, unleashing his primal instincts and becoming a ruthless predator while still tapping into his ancestral heritage.
Throughout the novel, Buck’s innate instincts come into play, evident in his constant battles with Spitz, the alpha dog. Eventually, their conflict escalates to the point of a deadly face-off, resulting in Spitz’s defeat and Buck’s rise as the new leader. This marks a significant transformation for Buck, as he sheds his recent domestication and embraces his primal nature.
Buck is sold along with the other dogs to three Southerners, Hal, Charles, and Mercedes by his current masters, Francois and Perrault. This new group of owners is inexperienced, constantly arguing, and lazy, causing Buck to become very thin and weak. However, Buck’s situation improves when they arrive at John Thornton’s camp and he takes compassion on him.
Under the love of his owner, Buck experiences a renaissance and reaches the pinnacle of his existence. This is evidenced by Buck’s remarkable physical transformation, exemplified when he successfully breaks free and effortlessly pulls a thousand-pound sleigh, resulting in his owner winning 1600 dollars in gold dust. As a result, John Thornton is able to settle his debts and embarks on a quest with Buck, two other men, and a few dogs to find a missing mine in the Canadian Forest.
Buck answers the call of the wild, which he had previously heard sporadically but now experiences frequently and irresistibly. When Buck has idle time, he is compelled to venture into the woods alone, guided by this call. Buck explores vast distances, encountering untamed wolves and successfully hunting grizzly bears and moose. Nevertheless, his loyalty to Thornton consistently brings him back.
Unfortunately, on a fateful day, he returns to Thornton’s camp after a long outing only to discover that he has been murdered by Indians. Buck attacks and injures the Indians, eliminating some and scattering the rest. This action cuts off his final connection to the human world, leading him to venture into the wilderness where he assumes dominance over a wolf pack. He earns a legendary status as the Ghost Dog, instilling fear in the Yeehats. Nevertheless, each year he returns to the place where Thornton met his demise and expresses sorrow. Ultimately, Buck succumbs to his innate instincts, embracing the Call of The Wild.
