The Call of the Wild by Jack London
Chapters 1-3 Activities
Dodgers
New Experiences
Buck has many new experiences in the opening chapters of the novel. In each case, he is able to
adapt. Use the diagram on this page to record each new situation Buck experiences and how it
changes him. Provide a quote from the book for 2 of your 5 changes or adaptations.
Study Questions
Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper in complete, thought-out sentences.
Staple you answers to this sheet.
1.
In the beginning of Chapter I, how is Buck described? Based on this description, how do
you think he will deal with the hardships of the Yukon Territory?
2.
What does the man in the red sweater teach Buck? Why was this an important lesson for
Buck to learn?
3.
What is the significance of the title of chapter 1?
4.
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
Chapters 1-3 Activities
Dodgers
What are the “laws of club and fang” that Buck learned in chapter 2? How are these laws
different from what Buck was used to?
5.
What is the one thing that Dave and Sol-leks live for? Why do you think they are like
this? What does this tell you about animal and human nature?
6.
If you were Buck, which of the other sled dogs would you chose to be your teacher and
why?
7.
What trait insures that Buck will survive in the north? How would this trait be accepted in
his former life? What does this say about the differences in the two worlds?
8.
Explain the meaning of the following quotation from page 18:
And not only did he learn by experience, but instincts long dead
became alive again. The domesticated generations fell from him. In vague ways he
remembered back to the youth of the breed, to the time the wild dogs ranged in packs
through the primeval forest and killed their meat as they ran it down. . . . Thus, as token
of what a puppet thing life is, the ancient song surged through him and he came into his
own again.
9.
Rewrite Curly’s death as if the characters were human. How would the scene change?
10.
Describe Spitz’s character using examples (quotes) from the chapter to support your
answer.
11.
How do François and Perrault display their true natures in chapter 3? Give specific
examples (quotes) to support your answer.
12.
How does Buck begin to undermine Spitz’s authority in this chapter? What were the
effects of Buck’s actions?
13.
The story is mainly told from Buck’s point of view. How does this perspective influence
how you feel about Buck? How might the story change if it were told from the dog
trainer’s point of view?
14.
What traits have helped Buck thrive in his new world? Of them, which do you think is the
most important? Why?