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.
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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.
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Underline sensory details used to describe Buck's beating.
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What does the author mean by the phrase the 'reign of primitive law'?
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How and why does Buck continue to steal?
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What words or phrases does the author use to describe Buck at the end of Chapter 2?
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What does the text suggest about Buck's transformation?
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In Chapter 2, identify one decision that Buck makes and explain how it reveals both development and retrogression.
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What do we learn about the 'primordial beast' within Buck in the first paragraph?
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What does Spitz do to finally provoke Buck to act?
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What does Spitz do, and why is this significant?
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How do Francois and Perrault's views about Buck and Spitz differ?
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How does the author use the incident of the wild dog attack to propel the action and the suspense in the text?
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What incidents demonstrate Buck's desire to undermine Spitz's authority?
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What do these incidents, along with the opening of Chapter 3, foreshadow?
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What is the significance of the lines describing Buck's instincts and reasoning?
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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.