Chapters 1-4

From whose point of view is the story written?

This story is written from a third person point of view.

Explain how Buck was neither house-dog nor kennel-dog?

Buck was neither a house-dog nor a kennel-dog because he typically just free-roams the town since his owner, Judge Miller, owns a huge California estate and practically runs the place.

What was Manuel’s treachery AND why did he do it?

Manuel’s treachery was him kidnapping and abusing Buck for his own personal benefit, so that he could pay off his gambling debts.

 Explain how the various men on the trip treat Buck?

The various men on the trip treat Buck terribly, giving him no water or food for 2 days, along with taunting and teasing him viciously.

Who are Perrault and his companion Francois?

Perrault and Francois are Buck’s first professional trainers to help Buck learn how to drive a sled.

Compare Buck’s new life at this point with his life with the Judge.

Buck’s life is completely different at this point. He barely gets any food, he is treated terribly, and he has little to no freedom. With the Judge, he got endless food, he was treated much better, and he was always running around town.

What did Buck learn from Curly’s mistake with the husky dog? EXPLAIN.

Buck learns that he must keep up with the other dogs and to always keep persevering, or death will meet him and he will not make it.

Where do the other dogs sleep AND why?

The other dogs dig holes in the ground and sleep there because it is the only way they can keep warm in the snow, by having their body heat surround them.

What is Perrault’s job?

Perrault's job is to deliver US mail and teach the dogs the routes.

Why does Buck feel hungry even though he gets more food than the other dogs?

Buck feels hungry even though he has more food than the other dogs because he is not used to doing this much labor with his body.

 Explain Buck’s quick development (or regression). How did he change from a civilized dog (a pet) to a hard-working sled dog?

Buck started out as a civilized dog living in California with little to no obedience or structure. He only followed his own rules, not having to follow any other dogs. After he started training with the sled dogs, he started to learn how to be obedient and work as a team with the other dogs.

 Which of Buck’s instincts came alive again?

The instinct that comes alive again inside of Buck is his overall survival instinct. He learns again how to survive in the cold, hunt and fish, and work together to survive.

What skills and lessons does Buck learn that are helping him to survive?  Be specific about who taught him each lesson.

A skill that he learns is how to stay warm in the snow, which is taught to him by the other dogs in the pack, by digging a hole in the ground so the heat from his body surrounds him. He also learns teamwork by realizing he needs to run WITH the dogs, taught by Perrault and just experience. Additionally, he also learns to share by giving his fish to a dog that had no food.

Explain what you understand about the “law of the club and the fang”.

The Law of Club and Fang is essentially just saying that only the strongest survive, and that humans are superior and have authority over you.

What is significant about the “last straw” that makes Buck attack Spitz openly?

The "last straw” that makes Buck attack Spitz openly is that Spitz is sabotaging Buck’s survival by stealing his sleeping spot, which insists that Spitz wants Buck dead.

What does it teach us and Buck when Dolly goes mad?

When Dolly goes mad, it teaches us and Buck that anything can happen in the wild, and you must do whatever you have to in order to survive. Emphasizing that only the strongest survive.

How does Buck eventually kill Spitz, and what is the importance of the rabbit­chase? 

Buck eventually kills Spitz by breaking his two front forelegs. The importance of this rabbitchase is that this is Buck’s way of ensuring his leadership. He is no longer the dog he used to be in California, and he is finally embracing his ancestors instincts.

What does it mean to be the “Dominant Primordial Beast”?

 To be the “Dominant Primordial Beast” means to have ultimate authority, and to be the main leader of the pack.

Why do you think Buck is so determined to be lead dog?

Buck is so determined to be a lead dog because he finally understands the need to survive. His natural instincts begin to kick in, causing him to want to be superior, especially after killing Spitz.

How does he go about insisting on his way, and what do his methods show he has learned since coming to the Northland?

Buck insists on his way by not only using violence, but utilizing his intelligence to his advantage. He was able to turn the other dogs on Spitz, resulting in his defeat. His methods show that Buck is no longer the sweet, disobedient dog he used to be, but a smart and resilient dog in the Northland.

What “vision” does Buck see sometimes in the campfire?What does this signify?

In the campfire, Buck sometimes sees the “vision” of a short, hairy man, representing some sort of primordial beast. This vision signifies his true instincts appearing, along with him leaving his old California life behind him.

What do we learn from Dave’s death?

We learn from Dave’s death that dogs out in the wild have dedication, and it can be immensely brutal to die in the wild even when you do your very best to survive.

What ingrained personality trait does London portray both Dave and Buck as sharing in this chapter?

The ingrained personality trait that both Dave and Buck share is their pride and perseverance as sled dogs.