Call of the Wild Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Bucks fights to the death with Spitz during the ____________

rising action

This novel is written in _____________

3rd person narration from the point of view of Buck

Why did Buck try to jump off a cliff?

because John Thornton told him to jump

Buck sees John Thornton as heroic because he

stands up for Buck Signup and view all the answers

The final showdown between Buck and Spitz was sparked by

a rabbit Signup and view all the answers

"The two mongrels were without spirit at all; bones were the only thing breakable about them." This sentence contains an example of ____________________

verbal irony Signup and view all the answers

I'm not hankering to be the man that lays hands on you [John Thornton] while he's around," Pete announced conclusively, nodding his head toward Buck. This sentence contains an example of

foreshadowing Signup and view all the answers

Why did Buck have trouble sleeping at first?

He didn't understand that he had to bury himself to stay warm Signup and view all the answers

Buck drank from the stream until he was SATED. What does sated mean?

full Signup and view all the answers

Why did Thornton limp?

He had frostbite Signup and view all the answers

This main conflict is

dog vs. self Signup and view all the answers

According to the terms of the bet, what does it mean to break out a sled?

breaking the runners from the frozen grip of the snow Signup and view all the answers

Buck felt the wind on his back as he ran in the forest. Which figurative language device is this an example of?

imagery Signup and view all the answers

The setting of this novel is:

the late 1890s in California, briefly, then Alaska and the Yukon Signup and view all the answers

What element of plot occurred during these sentences? "He walked to the center of the open space and listened..."

climax Signup and view all the answers

"The Call of the Wild" is the call of............

nature for Buck to follow Signup and view all the answers

Buck's feeling of upcoming doom when he was with Hal, Charles, and Mercedes foreshadows:

the drowning of the sled team Signup and view all the answers

Why did the man in the red sweater beat Buck?

because it was the fastest way to teach Buck how to obey Signup and view all the answers

Buck is called the "primordial beast". What does "primordial" mean?

ancient Signup and view all the answers

The genre of this novel is:

adventure Signup and view all the answers

Which dog attacked Buck for approaching his blind side?

Sol-lecks Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of traveling with a pole?

To test for thin ice Signup and view all the answers

Curly's death foreshadows...

Spitz's death Signup and view all the answers

The death of John Thornton signifies

the breaking of Buck's last tie to civilization Signup and view all the answers

Who gave Buck moccasins?

Francois Signup and view all the answers

When Buck was in California, he lived IMPERIOUSLY. What does imperiously mean?

like a king Signup and view all the answers

The best example of imagery:

"It bit like fire, and the next instant was gone." Signup and view all the answers

Why didn't Buck save Curly?

there were too many wild dogs Signup and view all the answers

How did John Thornton die?

the Yeehats attacked him Signup and view all the answers

What shocked the Yeehats?

Buck fought back and killed many of them Signup and view all the answers

Who is Buck's biggest challenge?

the moose Signup and view all the answers

What or who inspired Buck's blood longing?

The fight with the wild huskies Signup and view all the answers

Hal bought the sled team for a low price because

the dogs were worked to the brink of death Signup and view all the answers

What is the main theme of the novel?

Survival of the fittest. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is the author's purpose for writing The Call of the Wild?

To entertain people with a story of a dog in the wild Signup and view all the answers

Why did Buck return to John Thornton when he could have been free?

he still feels a strong love for John Thornton Signup and view all the answers

Buck could be seen as INEXORABLE. What does inexorable mean?

unstoppable Signup and view all the answers

The Yeehats refer to Buck as........

both A and B Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Dolly?

She got rabies from the wild dogs and had to be killed Signup and view all the answers

How do you know that John Thornton was unafraid of surviving in the wild?

his traveling supplies consisted of a gun and some salt Signup and view all the answers

Buck's first theft shows his

adaptability Signup and view all the answers

Mercedes gave Hal a TERSE answer. What does terse mean?

short Signup and view all the answers

How did Buck get the better of Perrault and Francois?

He forced them to give him leadership Signup and view all the answers

Which of these contains personification?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

How did Buck get three broken ribs?

from saving John Thornton from the rapids Signup and view all the answers

What effect did the setting have on the novel?

It helped create Buck's conflict. Signup and view all the answers

Billee looked INNOCUOUSLY at Spitz. What does innocuous mean?

harmless Signup and view all the answers

Why did Buck attack Black Burton?

because Black Burton struck John Thornton Signup and view all the answers

Why was there a change in color with the fur of the timber wolves?

because Buck joined the pack. Signup and view all the answers

Buck fights the leader of the wolf pack during the...

falling action Signup and view all the answers

Buck was able to beat Spitz because of his

instincts Signup and view all the answers

Read these sentences from the novel. "But Spitz, cold and calculating even in his supreme moods, left the pack and cut across a narrow deck..." These sentences contain an example of—

dramatic irony Signup and view all the answers

Buck had no respect for Hal because

he thought Hal was inexperienced and unintelligent Signup and view all the answers

Billee PLACATED Buck by licking his paws. What does placate mean?

to try to make someone feel better Signup and view all the answers

Who were Hans and Pete?

Friends of John Thornton. Signup and view all the answers

Why did John Thornton head to the East?

to find a lost mine full of gold Signup and view all the answers

Why did Dave bite through the traces?

he wanted to be part of the team again Signup and view all the answers

Who was the "hairy man by the fire who uttered strange sounds"?

a primitive man from Buck's vision Signup and view all the answers

Buck heard the wind call his name. Which figurative language device is this an example of?

personification Signup and view all the answers

The dark circle becoming a dot is a symbol of

death Signup and view all the answers

What is the main conflict of the novel?

Buck had to decide between living in the wild or in civilization. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the sled team head for Dawson with Perrault and Francois?

to deliver mail Signup and view all the answers

Buck joins the wolf pack during the.......

resolution Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Character Dynamics

Buck fights Spitz to the death, marking a significant moment in the rising action of the story.
John Thornton is viewed as heroic by Buck due to his protective instincts and support.
The rivalry between Buck and Spitz intensifies, culminating in a fatal showdown instigated by a rabbit.

Narrative Style

The novel is narrated in third-person from Buck's perspective, giving insight into his thoughts and experiences.

Themes and Conflicts

The central conflict is portrayed as dog versus self, highlighting Buck's internal struggles.
Key themes include the survival of the fittest and the call of nature, emphasizing Buck's journey back to his primal instincts.
Buck faces his biggest challenge against a moose, reflecting his adaptation to wild life.

Symbolism and Figurative Language

Buck's first theft represents his adaptability to his new environment.
Imagery is prevalent, with descriptions like "It bit like fire," creating vivid sensory experiences.
Personification is seen when the wind "calls" Buck's name, emphasizing his connection to nature.
The dark circle becoming a dot serves as a symbol for death, foreshadowing future events.

Character Development

Buck experiences trauma and change, illustrated by his difficulty sleeping and his need for warmth.
His evolution is marked by moments such as obtaining leadership over the sled team and fighting back against aggressors.

Critical Events

Curly's death foreshadows Spitz's demise, reinforcing the brutal reality of survival.
John Thornton's tragic death signifies Buck's final break from civilization, marking a pivotal transformation.
The unexpected fierceness in Buck during his confrontation with the Yeehats shocks them, revealing his wild nature.

Relationship Dynamics

Buck’s attachment to John Thornton is profound; he chooses to stay with him out of love rather than seek freedom.
Hal's ineptitude frustrates Buck, leading him to demonstrate his own capabilities to the more experienced members of the team.

Miscellaneous Insights

Setting and time frame include the late 1890s, transitioning from California to Alaska and the Yukon, shaping the narrative's harsh realities.
The significance of travel with a pole is to ensure safety on thin ice, showcasing survival strategies.
John Thornton's simple supplies reflect his survivalist mindset, contrasting with the reckless attitudes of others in the story.

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Description

Test your knowledge of Jack London's classic novel 'The Call of the Wild'. These flashcards cover key concepts, character perspectives, and pivotal moments in the story. Challenge yourself and deepen your understanding of Buck's journey.