Comparing The Primitive Dog In Jack London's The Call Of The Wild

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Animals that are domestic can become primitive due to their environment. Sometimes humans' treatment toward the domesticated animals can assist that primitive instinct to come out. In The Call of the Wild by Jack London, the main character, Buck, interacts with several owners throughout the text. Each owner treats him harshly, causing Buck to become more primitive and less domestic. However, when a man by the name of John Thornton defends him from the vile treatment of his previous owner, Buck develops a strong love for Thornton. This later results as an internal conflict for Buck later on in the story. Despite everything that happened throughout the text, Buck goes into the wild at the end. The reader witnesses Buck undergo a change from a domestic to primitive dog emotionally and physically. Buck's owners assist his primitive instinct to come out due to their treatment. In The Call of the Wild, …show more content…

In the text it states," That club was revelation. It was his introduction to the reign of primitive law... a man with a club was a lawgiver , a master to be obeyed..."( London page 11). Buck's first owner beaten dogs recuringly if the dogs did not obey him back. Throughout the story, Buck's owners enforced the law of club and fang upon him and the other dogs. The toil that Buck and his companions ha to do was unbearing, and some dogs were even worked to death. Although Buck's owners beat him physically and emotionally, Buck could not be broken. Due to the owners apathy concerning the dogs, Buck learned to become sturdy. Buck always rose up to the challenge, and he made sure he was the only leader among his companions. Buck, who was once a domesticated animal, was now a strong primitive leader who would take on the challenge and not back away. All because of the treatment that he was given by his

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