Call of the Wild Assignment 1
Pages 1-7
A. Write down five questions you have concerning the story so far. Make five predictions
that describe where you think the story is leading. These predictions can be answers to
the questions or predictions concerning the story.
B. Create a list of the characters presented in the story so far. Next to each character write
several adjectives that describe their traits and characteristics. Include five characters
with at least five adjectives each.
C. Choose two passages from the story that interest, concern or trouble you. Fold the
paper or draw a line down the middle of the paper. Copy the passage on the left side of
your paper. Document where the passage comes from in the text. (Pg. 2; Paragraph 3)
On the right side make appropriate comments about the passage. These comments can be
questions, predictions or just comments about what is interesting or intriguing. The
comments may discuss plot, theme or other literary elements. You may also wish to tie
your comments to other pieces of writing you have read.
(50 words for each comment section)
Call of the Wild Assignment 2
Pages 7-9
A. Summarize the main events of the story so far. (10 sentence minimum)
B. Discuss the meaning of the first line in this passage: “He was beaten, but not broken.”
What does this mean? (5 sentence minimum)
C. Characterize three of the dogs using circle diagrams. Create a large circle and list the
dogs name above the circle. Then, using adjectives, place character traits and descriptive
words that represent the dog inside the circle. (Minimum of 27 words)
D. The last section of the reading discusses Buck and his “first snow”. Analyze what
happened here. Why do the onlookers laugh? Do you think they have seen this before?
(Minimum of 8 sentences)
Call of the Wild Assignment 3
Pages 10-13
A. On page 10 London writes: “It is true, it was a vicarious experience, else he would not
have lived to profit by it.” Explain what this means. (40 words)
B. On page 11 London writes: “Though his dignity was sorely hurt by thus being made a
draft animal, he was too wise to rebel.” Compare Buck’s response here to how he reacted
earlier to a blow to his dignity. What has he learned? What does this reveal about his
character? (40 words)
C. As described by London, how are the personalities of the dogs similar to and how are
they different from those of people? Do all dogs have such distinctive personalities?
Discuss anthropomorphic writing. (40 words)
D. Complete a two Quotes / Notes summarization chart. Be sure to include the pageand
paragraph. Write at least 40 words for each note.
Call of the Wild Assignment 4
Pages 13-17
A. Summarize the events that have taken place throughout the novel. Discuss what has
transpired from the Santa Clara valley to the howling at the end of Chapter two.
(Minimum of 10 sentences)
B. Create a pictorial representation:
1. Draw the sled team and label each dog’s position in the team.
C. Discuss the following sections:
1. “Nor did….. himself the night before.” (Page 13; Paragraph 4)
2. “This first theft… would fail to prosper.”(Page 15-16; Paragraph 5)
What is Buck’s metamorphosis all about? What is London’s theme or major idea he is
trying to get across to the reader? Discuss the change in Buck and why this change is
occurring. (Minimum of 12 sentences)
Call of the Wild Assignment 5
Pages 18-24
A. Discuss the title of this section: The Dominant Primordial Beast. What do these three
words mean? Define the title. Use a thesaurus. (4 sentence minimum)
B. The huskies attack the camp when the fight breaks out. Discuss why this fight breaks
out. Who is fighting? Why do the huskies attack at this moment? Think of the themes
dealing with “survival of the fittest” and the “law of fang”.
C. What was happening with Buck’s feet? What was the solution? Why did this happen
to Buck only? (6 sentence minimum)
D. What is the cause of Dolly’s madness? What might be the effects of Spitz’s attack on
Buck? (5 sentence minimum)
E. On page 23 London talks about: “From then on it was war between them” and the
“Clash for Leadership”. What is London talking about? Predict what the logical
conclusion of this match-up between them might include. In other words, do you agree
with Francois or Perrault, and why? (8 sentence minimum)
Call of the Wild Assignment 6
Pages 24-29
A. London writes: “With the covert mutiny of Buck, a general insubordination sprang up
and increased.” (Pg. 24, paragraph 4) What does this statement mean? What is
happening in the story differently than was the case before? Has Buck become evil?
B. List the things that are to Perrault’s advantage for the trip back to Dyea Beach. List all
three and rank them in order of greatest importance. Justify each one and give a reason
for the ranking. (3 sentences)
C. Throughout the reading Buck demonstrates significantly different behavior than has
been normal. Describe this complete metamorphosis. (5 sentences)
D. Document three examples that demonstrate the completeness of this metamorphosis.
Include page and paragraph.
E. Discuss the fight with Spitz. What quality allows Buck to win? How does Buck master
Spitz? Discuss how the title of the chapter has been fulfilled. How is Buck a different
animal? (10 sentences)
Call of the Wild Assignment #7
Chapter 4: Pages 30-37
Recalling
1. What incident triggers the fight between Buck and Spitz? Describe this incident
using one complete sentence.
2. Describe Buck’s conflict with Francois over the leadership of the team.
Interpreting
3. In what ways is Buck well equipped to survive in the North?
4. What is the “dominant primordial beast”? Find two examples of Buck’s behavior
that reveal this beast. Document your examples as quotes with a page reference.
5. What is the significance of the man with the long mated hair in Buck’s daydream?
Applying and Analyzing
6. According to this story, is the law of club and fang ever justified? Support your
answer with details from the story.
7. List 3 qualities that make Buck a good leader?
C.O.W. Assignment #8
Pages 38-43
A. What do you learn about these three newcomers from their description? Create a
word box of ten adjectives that describes the new group. Using this word box
write a descriptive, showing writing paragraph that provides a picture of these
three newcomers. Use a minimum of eight sentences and your word box. An
example of a showing paragraph picturing Buck is on page 46, paragraph 2.
B. Use these three characters and create a Venn diagram of their attitudes and
character traits. Compare the new three to Perrault and Francois. What are the
similarities and differences? Use a minimum of six sentences in this comparison.
C. Create five questions you have concerning the story at this point. Create five
predictions of what will happen in the story. These predictions can be appropriate
answers to the questions.
C.O.W. Assignment #9
Pages 43-50
A. Mood is defined as: a feeling created in the reader by the literary work or
passage. Writers use many methods to create mood, including: images, dialogue,
descriptions, characterization, and plot events. Mood is the general attitude that is
created from the writing. Using five sentences summarize the mood that London
establishes during this trip.
B. Define conflict and describe the conflict(s) Buck faces during this chapter so far.
(Eight Sentences)
C. One of the main ideas of this novel is that only the fit can survive a hostile
environment like the Arctic. London’s description of the physical appearance and
the actions of these three characters clearly points out their lack of the qualities
necessary for survival. Using ten sentences, discuss the qualities and actions that
make these three unprepared for their ordeal. Discuss what qualities found in
those who survive are lacking in these three. What is London getting at, what is
the point, what is the underlying theme?
Call of the Wild #10
Chapter 6 Pages 51-57 and 57-62
51-57
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Who are the main characters now? Who are the side characters?
Where is the story taking place?
What is the main conflict in this section?
Describe the climax and how the characters respond during this conflict?
What is the main theme of the passage? Prove it with a quote.
57-62
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Who are the main characters now? Who are the side characters?
Where is the story taking place?
What is the main conflict in this section?
Describe the climax and how the characters respond during this conflict?
What is the main theme of the passage? Prove it with a quote.
C.O.W. Assignment #11
Pages 63-68
A. Buck is daydreaming about the primitive man more and more. What does the
primitive man represent to Buck? Why is fear a central part of his life? (Five
sentences)
B. Why is Buck impelled to answer the call? What is he relying on instead of reason?
(Five Sentences)
C. Summarize the changes that Buck has gone through and that have led to his
chasing and playing with the wolf. What does the wolf represent? ( Eight
sentences)
D. What is Buck’s conflict? Why did Buck turn around for John Thornton? What is
the call? Describe the conflict Buck is facing. (Eight Sentences)