Title: Call Of The Wild
Author: Jack London
Why I Read This Book:
I use the time I have to read the classics that I’ve always wanted to read, but never had time to when I was free. Call Of The Wild appealed to me because I love animals and old stories about the West and Alaska.
What I Learned:
The protagonist in this third person tale is Buck, a 140 pound St. Bernard and Scotch Shepard mix, who lived a life of luxury in Santa Clara Valley. King in his own mind, Buck was the pet of a judge and several of his children who Buck played and explored with before curling up by a fire in his owner’s impressive home. Buck was prideful, however as with life, pride often precedes a fall. This perfect life for a dog abruptly ended with one of the employees gardeners, Manuel, stole and sold Buck off to be part of the gold rush craze, as people sought strong dogs to pull their sleds.
With the intention of “breaking in” a dog into submission, Buck experienced “intolerable pain” in the form of being choked with a rope, brutally beaten with a club, and flung into a crate. Buck’s pride was wounded and he did not eat or drink while his torturers ceaselessly taunted him. Buck was so changed in appearance and mentality that his own owner, the judge, wouldn’t have recognized him. Though Buck was brutally beaten, he was not broken.
Buck was sold to two French Canadian men, Franois and Perrault, who introduced Buck into their sled dog lineup. On their journey through Alaska, Buck experienced a dog-eat-dog world. Buck learned humility and dignity in transitioning into a draft animal. Other dogs stole his food, he witnessed dog fights to the death, realized his place in the hierarchy, learned to dig himself into the snow to keep warm at night, and had to fight off the alpha dog during a ruthless attack to the death.
In his naivety, he made mistakes along the way, but learned what he had inside of him, becoming resilient, observed, and erudite. He learned to love the hard work from being part of a sled dog team and adapted to the biting cold and bitterly challenging lifestyle. Eating undesirable food and finding ways to get water without scum and self-care awoke long-dead instincts and built up his creativity and experience.
However, when Buck desired to be the leader of the sled team, which would put him at the front of the line and the top of the hierarchy, it “destroyed the solidarity of the pack.” The “breaking down of discipline” caused even good-natured dogs to no longer be good natured and the squabbling with each other resulted in fights among dogs and rolled downhill to those at the bottom of the hierarchy. Buck did, after much retaliation and stubbornness towards his owners, get his wish.
Buck passed through multiple owners, teaching his time with humans is fleeting and superficial, until he met his last owner, John Thornton. John loved his dogs, however with Buck they developed a powerful bond, respect, and love for each other. Their firm trust in one another led to Buck winning $1,600 for John in a bet by pulling 20 50lb sacks of flour over a set distance. This stunt, along with his fierce protection of John, made Buck famous among people and earned enough money for John to pay off debts and leave on a quest to locate the “fabled lost mine” out East. John, Buck, two other men, and 6 dogs left in search of the mine.
Along their journey, Buck befriended a male wolf-the “wild brother”- and started spending more time away from camp and in the wild. He became more wild, his instincts kicked in and he changed physically and mentally, looking like a wolf and surviving on a 100% carnivore diet from hunting game and fish. Continuously challenging himself, he conquered bigger and fiercer animals until he spent days cornering and killing a moose buck until Buck won, staying by his kill for days.
When Buck eventually returned to camp, he found all six dogs and two men killed by Native Americans, who Buck released his crazed rage on. Buck understood the significance that he now defeated man, however he mourned for John, who’s tracks disappeared to a river. He knew John was gone. In his mourning, a pack of wolves, including his “wild brother” found him and Buck was integrated into the pack. He found his true home and the freedom he longed for, running ahead of the wolf pack, giving way to legends and myths.
How Will Reading This Book Contribute To My Success:
Buck’s journey and transformation is one I can relate to, as many parts are reflective of my own challenges in prison. Buck the dog’s adaptability and resilience in spite of his unchosen circumstance is an inspiring one. Enduring injustices and abuse, including brutal beatings, the protagonist strengthened himself, learned humility, and his pride was torn away. When things looked bleak for him, he maintained an attitude of survival.
In the midst of adversity, challenges, obstacles, Buck changed himself physically and mentally, thickening his skin and gaining self confidence. Doing what was necessary to survive, Buck became more observant, skilled, and persevering. His challenging environment among the other-sometimes dangerous-dogs developed him into a strong, self-respecting character. After everything, Buck came out, not as a victim, but as a victor.
When Buck rebelled and made moves to move up the hierarchy of the dog team, strife, quarreling, fights, and injury resulted. This is a reminder to me that sometimes when we demand more or endeavor to follow our dreams, we will consequently face more adversity and conflict. Buck remained firm in wanting better for himself, regardless of the affliction.
Buck became a strong, confident, self-respecting character in Jack London’s novel who was comfortable with who he was and earning freedom through his actions. While probably strange to some, I can look towards a fictional St. Bernard-Scottish Shepard mutt to draw inspiration and courage for my journey on my own path to earning freedom
