Chapter 3 · The Call of the Wild

Copywork

But Buck possessed a quality that made for greatness—imagination. He fought by instinct, but he could fight by head as well. He rushed, as though attempting the old shoulder trick, but at the last instant swept low to the snow and in. His teeth closed on Spitz’s left fore leg.

After copying, point to the words that show Buck thinking rather than just fighting. Then read the last sentence again and say what the trick does to Spitz, and whether that changes how you feel about the word "greatness".

Discussion

Narration Tell back the chapter in order, from the night at Lake Le Barge to the fight on the creek, slowing down at the rabbit chase.

London says the beast in Buck grew, yet "it was a secret growth." Who is it secret from, and what do we see Buck do to keep it so? Author's choice
Buck flies between Spitz and Pike, and the chapter says he "did it deliberately." Was he protecting Pike, challenging Spitz, or something else? Character
Spitz bullies Buck, attacks him from the side in the husky raid, and tears into him when he is helpless. He also thrashes the shirkers. What do you make of Spitz as a leader? Moral reasoning
London says the "ecstasy" of the chase comes to the artist, the soldier, and Buck. What kind of joy is he describing? Tone
Spitz once watched circles close on beaten dogs, and now the circle closes on him. Was what happens to Spitz fair? Moral reasoning

Make a Connection Tell about a time a rival made someone you know work harder, or behave worse.

Vocabulary

IMAGINATION: But Buck possessed a quality that made for greatness—imagination. The power to picture what is not in front of you and to plan from it
INSTINCT: He fought by instinct, but he could fight by head as well. A natural way of acting that needs no thought or teaching
INEXORABLE: Buck was inexorable. Impossible to stop or to soften
MERCY: Mercy was a thing reserved for gentler climes. Kindness shown to someone in your power
SOLIDARITY: The insidious revolt led by Buck had destroyed the solidarity of the team. Unity that lets a group act as one
INSIDIOUS: The insidious revolt led by Buck had destroyed the solidarity of the team. Working harm slowly and secretly
MUTINY: Pike, who had been trembling abjectly, took heart at this open mutiny, and sprang upon his overthrown leader. Open rebellion against a leader
PRECIPITATE: He worked faithfully in the harness, for the toil had become a delight to him; yet it was a greater delight slyly to precipitate a fight amongst his mates and tangle the traces. To bring something on suddenly
DOMINANT: Buck stood and looked on, the successful champion, the dominant primordial beast who had made his kill and found it good. Holding the most power over all the others
SUPREMACY: Spitz, as lead-dog and acknowledged master of the team, felt his supremacy threatened by this strange Southland dog. The position of standing above every rival

Critical thinking

Buck "worked faithfully in the harness" and loved the toil, yet delighted in tangling the traces. Using two pieces of evidence, explain why such a dog would unsettle his own team.
On the Thirty Mile River the team survives ice that breaks under Perrault, the sled, and Spitz. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what mostly keeps them alive.
When the rabbit dies, Buck "did not cry out" and drives straight into Spitz. Using two pieces of evidence, explain why Buck attacks at that moment.