The Call of the Wild
Jack London
Consider this quote:
“ So that was the way. No fair play. Once
down, that was the end of you. Well, he
would see to it that he never went down.
Spitz ran out his tongue and laughed
again, and from that moment, Buck hated
Spitz with a bitter and deathless hatred.”
What conflict do you see building at this point in
the story, and what may it foreshadow?
Themes in Ch. 1-3
The call of the Wild is full of many important themes. Using your tree
map, determine which piece of support fits under each theme.
Then, find one other piece of support for each theme.
Themes in The call of the Wild
Survival
Buck
learns to
steal food
Law of Club
and Fang
The man
in the red
sweater
beats Buck
so that he
will obey
Primitive Vs.
Civilized behavior
Buck joins
the other
dogs in a
nocturnal
howl at the
moon
Pride in toil in the
traces
Dave yelps
with
eagerness at
morning
harness
Name:
Date:
Questions
1. What are
the
major
plot
events in
this
chapter?
Topic: The Call of the Wild, Ch. 3
•Conflict arises between Buck and Spitz when Spitz takes
Buck’s sleeping nest.
•Then, while they are fighting, the camp is attacked by
wild huskies and all the dogs are injured. Spitz tries to
attack Buck Again.
•Dolly goes mad and attacks Buck. Dolly then must be
killed to save the rest of the team. Seeing Buck
wounded, Spitz attacks again.
•Angry at Spitz, Buck begins to stir up the team and
cause problems in order to threaten Spitz’s leadership.
*
•The final clash between Buck and Spitz occurs after a
rabbit chase. Spitz catches the rabbit and forgets
about Buck. Buck attacks Spitz and finally kills him.
2. What are the
important
themes in this
novel?
Important Themes
•The law of club and fang
•Pride in the toil and traces
•Survival of the fittest
•Civilized vs. Primitive behavior
3. Why is
this chapter
a turning
point in the
story?
4. Do you
think Buck
deserves to
become the
new team
leader?
Summary
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Vocabulary pt. 2
Word
1. Repugnance
2. Infinitesimal
Know it
+ can
explain
it
Heard it
No clue
Definition
A strong distaste or
Hatred for
Immeasurably
small
3. Transient
Lasting only a small time
Moving often
4. Pertinacity
Being very determined
And persistent
Vocabulary Continued
Word
5. Formidable
6. Tangible
Know it + Heard it
can
before
explain it
No
clue
Definition
Of great strength,
force or power
Real or actual, able to
be seen or touched
7. Simulate
To copy or create a
model of
8. Carnivorous
Flesh or meat eating
9. Dejected
Depressed in spirits
10. Callowness
Immaturity and
inexperience
Name:
Date:
Topic: Ch. 4+5 Notes
1. In what
ways does
Buck show
mastership?
Ch. 4: Who Has Won to Mastership
• Buck has killed Spitz and cleverly becomes the leader of
the team
• Francois and Perrault have underestimated his power as
lead dog. Under Buck, the team regains its solidarity and
makes record runs.
• The team is then sold to run the civilian mail train
• Under these harsh conditions, Dave becomes sick and must
be killed. This is the beginning of the end for many of the
dogs.
2. How is
dialogue
used and
why is it
important?
Dialogue : Conversation between characters.
* Dialogue between Francious and Perrault explains
Buck’s skills as a leader.
Chapter 5: The Toil of Trace and trail
3. What
problems
do Hal,
Charles,
and
Mercedes
face?
•The dogs are overworked and tired. Official orders has them
sold to Hal, Charles, and Mercedes, three stampeders.
•These owners are inexperienced and mistreat the dogs. As
a result, the dogs slowly die off.
•They run into John Thornton who suggests they stop and
rest before leaving for Dawson.
• Hal, Charles, and Mercedes disagree and leave anyway.
•Thornton cuts Buck from his traces and saves his life.
The two of them watch, as the two men, the women, and
the team fall through the ice and die.
4. In what
ways is Ch.
5a
climactic
turning
point?
Climactic Event: John Thornton Attacks Hal, and Buck is nearly
beaten to death.
* This is a turning point because Buck is no longer a
possession or a work dog.
Musical Questions
Directions: When the music plays, you must move
around the room. When the music stops, you must
sit down with a partner and answer the given
questions. You must find a new person for each
round
1. Why did Francois and Perrault not initially choose
Buck as the leader after Spitz’s death? Who did
they choose and why?
2. Describe at least two ways that Buck proves
himself a superior leader to Spitz.
Musical Questions Cont.
3. Springtime is thought of as a time for beauty and joy.
What made the springtime with Hal, Charles, and
Mercedes ironic?
4. How did John Thornton save Buck’s life? What do
you predict their relationship will be like?
5. What does the following simile tell us about
Mercedes’ character in the story? What conflicts did
she create?
Simile: Mercedes attacked the belongings of her men
like a tornado!
Quiz Tomorrow!
•
•
•
•
Important plot events for Ch. 4 + 5
Part 2 vocabulary
Characters in Ch. 4 + 5
Similes / Metaphors / dialogue / irony