Chapter 6 · The Call of the Wild

Copywork

With the Judge’s sons, hunting and tramping, it had been a working partnership; with the Judge’s grandsons, a sort of pompous guardianship; and with the Judge himself, a stately and dignified friendship. But love that was feverish and burning, that was adoration, that was madness, it had taken John Thornton to arouse.

After copying, read the last sentence aloud. London builds toward it with three lesser bonds before he names this one; why might he end the list on "madness" and not on "adoration", and what does that last word do to the ones before it?

Discussion

Narration Tell back the chapter in order, from Buck's rest by the river to the sled in Dawson, slowing down at the rapids.

Skeet nudges Thornton's hand until she is petted, and Nig rests his head on Thornton's knee, but Buck "was content to adore at a distance." Why might Buck love this way? Character
Each time the call sounds deep in the forest, Buck goes toward it, and each time his love for Thornton draws him back. What does that tell us about how strong each pull is? Theme
Burton strikes Thornton without warning, and Buck tears his throat open; a miners' meeting decides Buck had "sufficient provocation." How would you judge Buck's attack? Moral reasoning
In the rapids Buck swims to shore when Thornton shouts "Go, Buck!" but later runs back up the bank at the faint sound of Thornton's voice. What is Buck listening for in each case? Inference
Before the wager Thornton does not shake Buck playfully but whispers, "As you love me, Buck." Why might he speak to Buck this way? Character
Thornton weeps and curses Buck "softly and lovingly," and the onlookers draw back "to a respectful distance." Why might London end the chapter there? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a character in a story who will do almost anything for one person.

Vocabulary

ADORATION: that was adoration, that was madness, Deep, worshipful love
FEVERISH: But love that was feverish and burning, Burning with restless excitement
POMPOUS: with the Judge’s grandsons, a sort of pompous guardianship; Grandly self-important
STATELY: and with the Judge himself, a stately and dignified friendship. Dignified and grand in manner
WHIM: A thoughtless whim seized Thornton, A sudden wish acted on without thought
EXPERIMENT: to the experiment he had in mind. A test done to see what will happen
UNCANNY: “It’s uncanny,” Pete said, Strange in a way that unsettles you
TRANSIENT: His transient masters since he had come into the Northland Passing quickly, not staying long
COMMUNION: such was the communion in which they lived, A close sharing of thoughts and feelings
APPALLED: The enormousness of it appalled him. Shocked and dismayed

Critical thinking

After Thornton commands "Jump, Buck!" over the cliff, Pete says "It's uncanny." Using two pieces of evidence, explain what Pete means.
Thornton is "heavy with doubt" at the sled, yet he lays down the partners' last two hundred dollars. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what moves him.
Buck "could not steal from this man," but from any other he "did not hesitate an instant." Using two pieces of evidence, explain what love has and has not changed in him.