From pet to wild beast, we witness the captivating journey of Buck in John Thornton’s novel, The Call of the Wild. Buck, a dog, undergoes various challenges such as encountering men armed with clubs, enduring wintry landscapes, and being thrust into a merciless world of survival. Yet, it is in this wild environment where Buck thrives, resorting to tactics of theft, hunting, and utilizing his intelligence. Buck is torn away from his beloved home and subjected to a series of harsh owners who are either cruel or excessively refined. Nights spent sleeping in the cold snow only add to his suffering. The Gold Rush prompts an influx of individuals seeking riches in the Yukon region. To fulfill their aspirations, they require robust and intelligent dogs capable of withstanding the frigid temperatures and aiding them on their quest. Unfortunately, Buck becomes a victim of this demand. Previously content on an expansive and splendid estate under the care of Judge Miller, Buck is kidnapped by a gardener’s assistant who aims to settle a debt. Subsequently, Buck is transported to San Francisco for sale, but not before enduring severe beatings by a man clothed in a red sweater to tame his spirit. Finally, Buck is taken to the Yukon to embrace his new existence. The author describes Buck’s initial experience on Dyea beach as a nightmarish ordeal, each passing hour marked by shock and surprise. Abruptly torn from civilized society, he finds himself engulfed in a primal environment (p. 8).
Despite his horrible new life, Buck surprisingly adapted well, honing his survival skills and learning to live in the wild. He became known for his intelligence and quickly became proficient in the skills necessary for survival. In order to find more food, Buck figured out how to steal from other dogs without getting caught by his owner’s club. Eventually, he progressed from stealing to killing. As he grew more experienced in the wild, Buck felt a connection to his natural instincts for success. Impressed by his strength and abilities, men wanted to buy him to lead their dog sled. “Everyone acknowledged Buck as a magnificent animal” (p. 49). By breaking his final strand of civilization, Buck showed he was destined to be wild. The challenges he faced helped him reach his full potential. He eventually found a home with a man named John Thornton and lived happily, going on numerous adventures together. Although Buck noticed a wolf in the woods, he chose not to join the pack due to his love for Thornton. However, out of curiosity, Buck went in search of his wild “brothers”. After several days, he sensed danger approaching.
Running at full speed, Buck returned to John Thornton’s camp only to discover that both Thornton and several dogs had been killed. Despite Buck’s previous calmness towards people and his refusal to harm them, he succumbed to rage and sought out the tribe responsible for the killings, the Yeehats. He mercilessly slaughtered anyone who crossed his path. While grieving for his beloved owner, Buck realized that he was no longer tied to the civilized world. As he states, “And as never before, he was ready to obey. John Thornton was dead. Man and the chains of man no longer bound him.” (p. 62) With this newfound understanding, Buck, who had spent his entire life following human commands, abandoned civilization to join his fellow wild brethren.
