Chapter 5

The Call of the Wild

Trailblazers · 4th–6th

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.

1. 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

2. At Skaguay Mercedes snatches the whip from Hal and kneels to hug Buck. What kind of kindness is hers?Character

3. 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

4. Under Hal's whip Sol-leks, Teek, Joe, and Pike crawl to their feet. What gets them up?Theme

5. 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

6. 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

Crossword

1				2	3
		4
5			6

7

	8

Across

Across 1. Not clear or definite
Across 5. About to happen, hanging over you
Across 6. Not formed into words
Across 7. Youthful inexperience that does not know itself
Across 8. Showing no pity at all

Down

Down 2. Using few words, short and to the point
Down 3. Foolish action that ignores good sense
Down 4. Showing scorn with a curled lip or a mocking tone
Down 6. In an unsure way, unable to decide
Down 7. Shaken violently by a strong feeling

The words in the chapter

VAGUE He had a vague feeling of impending doom.
IMPENDING He had a vague feeling of impending doom.
CALLOWNESS It advertised his callowness—a callowness sheer and unutterable.
TERSE and, when it was asked, terse advice.
SNEERING This last with a sneering ring of triumph in it.

CONVULSED too convulsed with rage to speak.
MERCILESS The whip flashed out, here and there, on its merciless errands.
FOLLY It was idle, he knew, to get between a fool and his folly;
IRRESOLUTELY he arose and walked irresolutely up and down.
INARTICULATE uttering a cry that was inarticulate and more like the cry of an animal,

Critical thinking

1. The six Outside dogs do worse on the trail than the huskies. Using two pieces of evidence, explain why.

2. Charles and Hal worked out the trip "with a pencil." Using two pieces of evidence, explain what their plan got wrong.

3. Hal's theory is that one must get "hardened." Using two pieces of evidence, explain what that theory shows about Hal.