Chapter 5 · The Call of the Wild

Copywork

He had a vague feeling of impending doom. This had been strong upon him when he pulled in to the bank, and it had not departed from him. What of the thin and rotten ice he had felt under his feet all day, it seemed that he sensed disaster close at hand, out there ahead on the ice where his master was trying to drive him. He refused to stir.

After copying, read the long sentence that begins "What of the thin and rotten ice" aloud, and then read "He refused to stir." alone. Why might London follow a long sentence with a four-word one, and what does the short one do that the long one could not?

Discussion

Narration Tell back the chapter in order, from the sale at Skaguay to the hole in the ice, slowing down at White River.

Hal says of the warnings, "They told us we couldn't make White River, and here we are." How good a proof is that? Inference
At Skaguay Mercedes snatches the whip from Hal and kneels to hug Buck. What kind of kindness is hers? Character
Thornton goes on whittling because it was "idle, he knew, to get between a fool and his folly." Was he right to wait as long as he did? Moral reasoning
Under Hal's whip Sol-leks, Teek, Joe, and Pike crawl to their feet. What gets them up? Theme
Just before White River London piles on spring: sap rising, birds singing, ice breaking. Why set all that life around this team? Author's choice
After the ice gives way, the chapter ends with Thornton saying "You poor devil" and Buck licking his hand. Why end on that quiet moment? Tone

Make a Connection Tell about a time someone ignored good advice and it worked out, or did not.

Vocabulary

VAGUE: He had a vague feeling of impending doom. Not clear or definite
IMPENDING: He had a vague feeling of impending doom. About to happen, hanging over you
CALLOWNESS: It advertised his callowness—a callowness sheer and unutterable. Youthful inexperience that does not know itself
TERSE: and, when it was asked, terse advice. Using few words, short and to the point
SNEERING: This last with a sneering ring of triumph in it. Showing scorn with a curled lip or a mocking tone
CONVULSED: too convulsed with rage to speak. Shaken violently by a strong feeling
MERCILESS: The whip flashed out, here and there, on its merciless errands. Showing no pity at all
FOLLY: It was idle, he knew, to get between a fool and his folly; Foolish action that ignores good sense
IRRESOLUTELY: he arose and walked irresolutely up and down. In an unsure way, unable to decide
INARTICULATE: uttering a cry that was inarticulate and more like the cry of an animal, Not formed into words

Critical thinking

The six Outside dogs do worse on the trail than the huskies. Using two pieces of evidence, explain why.
Charles and Hal worked out the trip "with a pencil." Using two pieces of evidence, explain what their plan got wrong.
Hal's theory is that one must get "hardened." Using two pieces of evidence, explain what that theory shows about Hal.