Call of the Wild Chapters 1-3 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What does the reader learn in the first sentence about the problem, the main character, and the setting?

Man wants dogs so they could find gold. He lives in San Diego in the hot weather.

What do you learn about Buck in paragraphs 3-5?

He is the Judge's dog. They have a lot of land. They're rich. He watches over the kids.

What words and phrases in paragraph 22 present Buck in 'human-like' ways?

He attacks back when he's abused. He felt like he was the king.

Explain how the encounter with Manuel and the subsequent event described in paragraph 11 change Buck.

He becomes vicious and mad because he got kidnapped. Signup and view all the answers

Consider the author's use of word choice and sensory details; select a word, phrase or sentence from Chapter 1 that emphasizes Buck's return to a primitive state.

Buck is returning to his most natural state that of a dog in the wild who will kill or be killed and do what it takes to survive. Signup and view all the answers

Underline sensory details used to describe Buck's beating.

Buck has become a violent creature and is called a 'devil' in this scene. His eyes have a 'mad glitter,' and he crumples up and goes down. Signup and view all the answers

What does the author mean by the phrase the 'reign of primitive law'?

In this primitive world, Buck can expect violence but can survive and keep his dignity. Signup and view all the answers

How and why does Buck continue to steal?

Buck learns to steal 'secretly and cunningly, out of respect for club and fang.' He does not steal for joy but to stop his hunger. Signup and view all the answers

What words or phrases does the author use to describe Buck at the end of Chapter 2?

Buck is described as a strong, capable physical being with muscles 'as hard as iron.' Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest about Buck's transformation?

Buck is reconnecting to the spirits and ancestors of wild dogs. Signup and view all the answers

In Chapter 2, identify one decision that Buck makes and explain how it reveals both development and retrogression.

Buck learns to steal food, showing development for survival, but also retrogressing from his moral character. Signup and view all the answers

What do we learn about the 'primordial beast' within Buck in the first paragraph?

It was strong in Buck, growing under the fierce conditions of trail life. Signup and view all the answers

What does Spitz do to finally provoke Buck to act?

He bullies Buck and takes his sleeping spot. Signup and view all the answers

What does Spitz do, and why is this significant?

Spitz is jealous and wants to kill Buck. Signup and view all the answers

How do Francois and Perrault's views about Buck and Spitz differ?

One thinks highly of one dog, while one prefers the other. Signup and view all the answers

How does the author use the incident of the wild dog attack to propel the action and the suspense in the text?

It shows the intensity of the conflict between Buck and Spitz and encourages the dog team to move forward. Signup and view all the answers

What incidents demonstrate Buck's desire to undermine Spitz's authority?

Buck threatens Spitz's authority and gets the other dogs to follow suit. Signup and view all the answers

What do these incidents, along with the opening of Chapter 3, foreshadow?

They suggest Buck's transformation is continuing and that he will challenge Spitz for leadership Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the lines describing Buck's instincts and reasoning?

The lines reveal that Buck's combination of instinct and imagination enables him to defeat Spitz. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 1: Introduction to Buck and Setting

Buck is owned by a wealthy man in San Diego and enjoys a comfortable lifestyle.
The narrative begins during the gold rush era, where men seek dogs for transporting gold.
The hot climate of San Diego contrasts sharply with the harsh environments Buck will face.

Chapter 2: Buck's Transformation

Buck is a Judge's dog, living on a large estate, and is familiar with familial interactions.
His temperament shifts after he is kidnapped, leading to a more aggressive and survival-oriented mindset.
Buck starts to exhibit human-like traits, such as feeling pride and recognizing his change in status in the animal hierarchy.
Encounters violence and learns the “law of club and fang,” indicating his descent into primal behavior.

Chapter 3: The Struggles of Leadership

Buck begins to steal food, learning cunning survival tactics from his previous lifestyle.
His experience at the hands of man sharpens his instincts as he connects more deeply to his wild ancestry.
Physical transformation is evident; Buck becomes stronger and more resilient, with muscles “as hard as iron.”
The tension between Buck and Spitz, the primary antagonist, escalates as Buck aims to undermine Spitz’s authority, aligning with the other dogs against him.

Key Incidents and Themes

Buck's violent encounters instill a sense of the primitive beast within, driving his actions and decisions.
The rivalry with Spitz foreshadows a significant showdown between the two as competing leaders.
Buck’s development showcases both an embrace of survival instincts and a regression from his domesticated roots.
The wild dog attack intensifies the conflict, displaying the precarious balance of power within the dog team under Buck’s influence.
Buck’s imaginative thinking and reawakening of primal instincts empower him to defeat Spitz in a climactic battle.

Symbolism and Interpretation

The phrase "reign of primitive law" illustrates Buck's realization that survival often requires violence.
Buck's conflict with Spitz highlights themes of leadership, dominance, and the struggle for survival in a wild, unforgiving environment.
The journey from domestication to embracing his ancestral instincts serves as a central theme, emphasizing the transformative power of nature on Buck.

Conclusion

Buck evolves from a pampered house dog to a fierce and capable competitor, embodying the survival skills of his wild ancestors.
The interplay of instinct, intellect, and the harsh realities of the wilderness shapes Buck’s character, moving the narrative forward toward inevitable confrontations.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the first three chapters of 'The Call of the Wild'. This quiz will explore the main character Buck, his setting, and key events. Each question is designed to reinforce your understanding of the text and its themes.