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The Call of the Wild
Trailblazers · 4th–6th
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?
Narration Tell back the chapter in order, from Buck's rest by the river to the sled in Dawson, slowing down at the rapids.
1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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.
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that was adoration, that was madness,
But love that was feverish and burning,
with the Judge’s grandsons, a sort of pompous guardianship;
and with the Judge himself, a stately and dignified friendship.
A thoughtless whim seized Thornton,
to the experiment he had in mind.
“It’s uncanny,” Pete said,
His transient masters since he had come into the Northland
such was the communion in which they lived,
The enormousness of it appalled him.
1. After Thornton commands "Jump, Buck!" over the cliff, Pete says "It's uncanny." Using two pieces of evidence, explain what Pete means.
2. 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.
3. 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.