The Call of the Wild Characters Quiz

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Who is Buck?

Saint Bernard-Shepard mix, lived very well in the Santa Clara Valley, California until he was kidnapped, hates Spitz ever since he laughed at them killing Curly, kills Spitz.

Who is Judge Miller?

The owner of Buck and a large beautiful property that Buck used to call home until he was kidnapped.

Who is Manuel?

Landscaper with a gambling problem who kidnapped and sold Buck to pay his gambling debts.

Who is the Man in the Red Sweater?

Teaches Buck 'The Law of the Club and the Fang.' Signup and view all the answers

Who is Francois?

Perrault's helper and sled driver. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Perrault?

A French/Canadian man who paid for Buck with Canadian government money and served as a courier for the Canadian Government. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Curly?

A good-natured Newfoundlander, the other dog bought with Buck, killed in the beginning by a group of Huskies due to his good-natured ways. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Spitz?

The original leader of the pack, Buck's mortal enemy, who Buck eventually kills. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Dave?

The other dog already on the boat, mellow, wise, fair. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Billee?

Brother of Joe, good-natured Husky who cries a lot and avoids fighting. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Joe?

Brother of Billee, mean, evil, wise, and alongside Sol Leks, helped teach Buck to pull a sled. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Sol Leks?

An old, wise dog, blind in one eye with battle scars, hot-tempered, who will attack if approached from his blind side. Signup and view all the answers

What did Pike teach Buck?

To steal food. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Dub?

A bad criminal who always gets caught for stealing food. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Dolly?

Went mad and attacked Buck, Francois had to hit her with an axe in order to kill her. Signup and view all the answers

Where is the first setting of the story?

Santa Clara Valley, California. Signup and view all the answers

Where is the second setting of the story?

Yukon Territory, Klondike. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'The Law of the Club and the Fang' mean?

The law taught to the entire team that states whenever you show your teeth to a human you get hit. Signup and view all the answers

Why wouldn't Buck get into his old sled harness?

He wanted to be lead. Signup and view all the answers

How did Buck behave as the lead dog?

He was superior. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Buck worth a thousand dollars?

He broke in two sled dogs. Signup and view all the answers

Why was the 14-day trip a record run?

It was 40 miles a day. Signup and view all the answers

Why didn't Buck like the mail run?

It was monotonous. Signup and view all the answers

Who took over the team after Perrault and Francois?

Scott, a half-breed mail runner. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Buck like laying by the fire?

He liked dreaming. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the 'Hairy man' in the other world?

Neanderthal. Signup and view all the answers

Why did snow slow the trip?

It made pulling the sled heavier. Signup and view all the answers

What was wrong with Dave most of the 1800 mile trip?

He was sick. Signup and view all the answers

How did Dave die?

He was shot. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the bad state of the team when they reach Skagway.

Limping, weight loss, very tired. Signup and view all the answers

Why didn't Buck get a rest after the run?

He was sold. Signup and view all the answers

Why shouldn't they take the tent on the trip?

It overloaded the sled. Signup and view all the answers

Why couldn't the dogs pull the sled?

They were tired and frozen. Signup and view all the answers

Why was 14 dogs too many?

There weren't enough rations. Signup and view all the answers

Were Mercedes, Charles, and Hal kind to one another?

False Signup and view all the answers

Why did Mercedes get to ride on the sled?

She was a lady. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to say the dogs were a 'bag of bones'?

The dogs were starving. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Thornton say not to go to Dawson?

The ice was unsafe. Signup and view all the answers

Why didn't Buck lead the family's dog sled?

Thornton intervened. Signup and view all the answers

What finally happened to the family?

The bottom dropped out of the trail. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Main Characters

Buck: A Saint Bernard-Shepherd mix, lives luxuriously in California until kidnapped. Develops a deep-seated hatred for Spitz after witnessing the death of Curly.
Judge Miller: Buck's original owner, providing a comfortable life on a large property in Santa Clara Valley.
Manuel: Buck's landscaper who sells him to settle gambling debts.
The Man in the Red Sweater: Introduces Buck to "The Law of the Club and the Fang."

Supporting Characters

Francois: Sled driver and assistant to Perrault.
Perrault: French-Canadian government courier who purchases Buck.
Curly: A Newfoundlander who is killed by Huskies due to her good-natured approach.
Spitz: The original leader of the dog team, rivals with Buck and eventually killed by him.

Other Dogs

Dave: Supportive and wise dog, eventually succumbs to sickness.
Billee: Good-natured Husky, often emotional; brother to Joe.
Joe: Meaner brother of Billee, assists in teaching Buck to pull sleds.
Sol Leks: Old and temperamental dog, has battle scars and is blind in one eye.
Pike: Resourceful dog who teaches Buck to steal food.
Dub: Inefficient thief who often gets caught.
Dolly: Goes mad and attacks Buck; killed by Francois.

Settings

First Setting: Santa Clara Valley, California, symbolizes Buck's original life of comfort.
Second Setting: Yukon Territory, Klondike, represents the harsh new environment Buck must adapt to.

Key Themes and Concepts

The Law of the Club and the Fang: A brutal lesson in survival where showing teeth to humans leads to punishment.
Leadership Dynamics: Buck's initial reluctance to wear a sled harness stems from his desire to be a lead dog; eventually, he proves his superiority.

Events

Record Run: A 14-day trip covering 40 miles a day, demonstrating Buck's strength and capability.
Team's Condition at Skagway: Dogs arrive limping, with significant weight loss and exhaustion.
Dave's Death: Represents the sacrifices made by the dogs in harsh conditions; he is shot after falling ill.
Final Fates: The family of Mercedes, Charles, and Hal ultimately face tragedy when the trail collapses beneath them.

Issues Faced

Fatigue and Starvation: The team struggles with pulling heavy sleds in unfavorable conditions, leading to them being described as a "bag of bones."
Internal Conflicts: Mercedes, Charles, and Hal often quarrel, undermining their effectiveness as a team.
Decision to Not Carry Tents: Overloading the sled contributes to the team's struggles and lessens their chances of survival.
Unsafe Ice Warning: Thornton cautions against traveling to Dawson due to the hazardous conditions, highlighting the dangers of the environment.

Character Relationships

Buck and Spitz: Dynamic of rivalry, ultimately results in Buck taking leadership after defeating Spitz.
Mercedes’ Special Treatment: Reflects gender norms of the time, as she insists on riding the sled while the dogs suffer.

Symbolism

Neanderthal Reference: The "Hairy man" represents primal instincts and the savagery that challenges Buck’s civilized upbringing.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge of the main and supporting characters from Jack London's 'The Call of the Wild'. This quiz covers Buck's journey, his rivals, and the other significant dogs in his life. See how well you understand the dynamics between these characters in the harsh wilderness.