The Jack London Classic: The Call of The Wild

Transformation

TransformationThe Call of the Wild addresses an important issue – to survive, one continually has to adapt to new situations.

Buck was a loved and pampered dog who, when taken to the North, had to learn to survive in a very hostile and harsh environment. From being nurtured and sleeping inside the house he has to learn to sleep in the snow, fight for the leading position in the team, obey his masters, work all day, sometimes go without food for days, etc. From a beloved pet, he had to learn to survive in a kill-or-be-killed environment. He instinctively understood that the law of the wild does not tolerate the weak.

Not only was the wilderness cruel, so were many people who owned him, as well as some of the dogs in the team. Buck understood that to survive, he had to adapt. His transformation and adaptation to the new environment is an excellent example of Darwin's theory of evolution, ie only the fittest survive.

But, Buck does not only want to survive, he wants to lead. To do that, he first has to kill the pack leader, Spitz. Through the description of their rivalry, we see that London is influenced by Friedrich Nietzsche, a German philosopher of the late 19-th century. Nietzsche believed that there are only two types of people in the world – the leaders and those who follow them. Nietzsche compared the leaders to birds of prey and those who follow them, to herd animals.

From a children's pet Buck becomes a fierce wild creature who fights to the death to become the alpha male in the pack. London depicts his ferocity as a positive trait and suggests that there is no higher destiny for man or beast than to struggle and win.

Atavism – the Power of Primitive Instincts

When he finds himself in the inhospitable North, Buck realizes that to stay alive, he has a lot to learn. And he learns well and fast. But, not only does he learn the skills necessary for survival, he becomes increasingly aware of the old, long-forgotten instincts of his wild ancestors. Gradually, Buck recovers his primitive instincts and survival skills.

London reminds us that both domesticated animals and people are only superficially civilized. Deep down, their ancient insticts lie dormant, until they hear the call of the wild, and respond.

The Laws of the Civilized World vs the Laws of the Wilderness

Buck's old life was comfortable, peaceful, and boring. This changed when he was stolen and sold to dog traders who took him to the frozen North where he was forced to work as a sled dog, sometimes going without food for days. To survive, a docile friendly dog becomes a savage, domineering, and fierce alpha male.

However, although life in the wilderness can be hard and unforgiving, we learn that although seemingly chaotic, it actually operates according to strict social codes, hierarchies, and laws.

In the sled team, the position of the lead dog is given to the most powerful dog. He takes all decisions for the group and each lead dog has his own style of leadership.

London points out that although both the civilized world and the world of wilderness have rules, they are often very different. For example, in the wild most conflicts are resolved through bloody fights while in the civilized world conflicts are resolved through discussions and negotiations.

The key message of this theme is that to survive in either world, one has to abide by the rules which that world has set up. In other words, to survive and be accepted, one has to understand the rules of the world he lives in and follow them.

Through this theme, London again touches on Darwin's theory of natural selection, ie survival of the fittest. Throughout the book, we see how most deaths among people living in the frozen North occur because they could not adapt to the world they found themselves in. When people don't have what it takes to survive in the wilderness and refuse to listen to experienced settlers, they are usually doomed.

On the other hand, Buck not only survives but becomes a leader because he adapts to change and accepts the social and natural order of his new world.

There is a different kind of justice in the North. The strong thrive and survive, the weak die. The wise do not ignore this law.