THE CALL OF THE WILD
Summary of CHAPTER 3 – The Dominant Primordial Beast
As the spirit of the wild beast is renewed in Buck, he continues to hate the
bullying Spitz, although he wisely avoids fighting. One day, however, Spitz
steals Buck's snow nest. Buck attacks Spitz and both begin to fight. Then
suddenly the camp is attacked by a swarm of starving huskies. The team
dogs try to drive them off but are wounded by the huskies' brutal attack.
When at last the huskies are routed, half the camp's food supply is gone.
Francois is afraid the huskies' bites will infect the sled dogs with “madness,”
but the messages must be delivered so they strike out on the trail to
Dawson. It is a hard trip --- Perrault and the two dogs break through the ice
a few times, and Francois has to make moccasins for Buck's sore feet. One
dog, Dolly, does become mad; Francois puts her down with an axe. Buck
begins to openly challenge Spitz’s authority as lead dog, which ends in a
final showdown. Thanks to his powers of imagination, Buck is able to trick
Spitz and eventually kill him.
NEXT PAGE – Chapter 3 Comprehension Questions
The Call of the Wild Comprehension Questions – These questions will help
you to prepare for the chapter quizzes. Please answer and study these questions
after the reading of each chapter in class. If you need to reread a chapter, the
entire novel may be accessed at the below website.
http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/London/Writings/CallOfTheWild/
The Call of the Wild
Chapter 3 Comprehension Questions
Name: ___________________
To fully understand Ch. 3, you should be able to explain the following:
1. What is different about Dave and Sol-leks when they are driving the sled? Why does this
change occur?
2. Why do Francois and Perrault take good care of the dogs in the team?
3. What was Buck’s reaction to finding Spitz in his sleeping nest? Why was Spitz so surprised
by Buck’s reaction?
4. Why did the enormous group of huskies attack the camp? What was surprising about Spitz’s
behavior during the husky attack?
5. What is happening to the solidarity of the team of sled dogs? Who is the main source of the
problem?
6. What happens to Dolly when the dogs stop at Pelly?
7. What happens to Buck during the rest in Dawson city?
8. Why is Buck able to defeat Spitz?
The Call of the Wild
Chapter 3 Comprehension Questions
Name:
KEY
To fully understand Ch. 3, you should be able to explain the following:
1. What is different about Dave and Sol-leks when they are driving the sled? Why does this
change occur?
Dave and Sol-leks change from very sullen, disinterested dogs into an energized, purposeful
team. They have a great pride in their work and take their jobs very seriously.
2. Why do Francois and Perrault take good care of the dogs in the team?
Francois and Perrault take good care of the dogs because they are very valuable to them. The
dogs are investment and help them to fulfill their jobs as mail carriers. Also, the dogs are a key to
their survival in the Klondike wilderness.
3. What was Buck’s reaction to finding Spitz in his sleeping nest? Why was Spitz so
surprised by Buck’s reaction?
Buck attacks Spitz because Spitz sneaks into his nest while he is gone. Both Spitz and Buck are
surprised by Buck’s reaction because up to this time Buck has not shown any kind of malice or
rebellion against Spitz.
4. Why did the enormous group of huskies attack the camp? What was surprising about
Spitz behavior during the husky attack?
The group of huskies was starving, desperate and they possibly had rabies which caused them to
be mad. Even though the entire team is fighting off the huskies, Spitz maliciously attacks Buck
while he is trying to fight of the huskies.
5. What is happening to the solidarity of the team of sled dogs? Who is the main source of
the problem?
The team of dogs is rebelling against Spitz’s authority. Buck is covertly (inconspicuously)
leading this revolt against Spitz. The dogs are losing their sense of unity because there is not a
real leader in the team.
6. What happens to Dolly when the dogs stop at Pelly?
Dolly goes mad and attacks Buck. She chases Buck for a long distance. Then Francois rescues
Buck by killing Dolly with his ax.
7. What happens to Buck during the rest in Dawson city?
Buck’s primordial instincts begin to surface in a significant way – the CALL is growing stronger
and he begins howling during the night with other dogs.
8. Why is Buck able to defeat Spitz?
Buck was patient to wait for the right moment to attack and defeat Buck. The turning point of the
fight is when Buck uses his imagination to come up with a plan of going below the snow in order
to break Spitz’s forelegs.