In The Call of the Wild (1903), author Jack London creates a world that challenges the supremacy of man. London portrays humans as animals like any other, and at the same time, consistently personifies dogs and nature in order to highlight their complexity. From the perspective of the main character, the dog Buck, humans are relatable but also expendable. When Buck ultimately sheds the presence of humans in his life, the choice seems natural.

Humans

Half St. Bernard, half Scotch shepherd dog, Buck recognizes that just like dogs, humans can have mixed ancestry. One of the first men in the North that Buck respects is Francois, “…a French-Canadian half-breed…” (p. 11). Another man Buck encounters is a nameless “…Scotch half-breed…” (p. 45). Men consider the breed of other men as well. When John Thornton meets Mercedes, Charles, and Hal, he listens to them and decides that, “He knew the breed, and he gave his advice in the certainty that it would not be followed” (p. 64). John Thornton believes he knows the type of people that Mercedes, Charles, and Hal are. Their individuality does not impress Thornton, and he believes that the family of three has the same traits as the others of their kind. Humans, like all animals, come from various stock, and live by their instincts and reactions in a harsh world. When he witnesses an injustice, for example, John Thornton seems to instinctively intervene: “…suddenly, without warning, uttering a cry that was inarticulate and more like the cry of an animal, John Thornton sprang upon the man who wielded the club” (p. 66). John Thornton cries out inarticulately, like an animal. He springs upon his target, and uses the strength of his body rather than a weapon to subdue his target. Buck attacks similarly, in the manner of: “…an animal the like of which they had never seen before…a live hurricane of fury, hurling himself upon them in a frenzy to destroy. He sprang at the foremost man…” (p. 98). Both Buck and John Thornton attack like animals, and spring upon their enemies. The similarities of their attacks highlight the comparable nature of men and dogs when they must fight and have only their own bodies at their disposal. When Buck kills some men, he reasons: “He had killed man, the noblest game of all…Thenceforward he would be unafraid of them…” (p. 100). Buck gives men credit for being the noblest of all, but still understands that man is game, an animal he can hunt like any other. Once Buck sees that he is able to kill humans, he no longer feels intimidated by them. In London’s story, the breeds, bodies, and mortality of humans are unremarkable.

Dogs

Of all the characters in The Call of the Wild, the dog Buck leads the most interesting and varied life. Buck - not Judge Miller - is the king of their family’s California property. A description of Buck’s home includes the claim that “…over this great demesne Buck ruled…in right royal fashion. During the four years since his puppyhood he had lived the life of a sated aristocrat; he had a fine pride in himself, was even a trifle egotistical, as country gentlemen sometimes become because of their situation” (p. 2-3). Buck spends his days like an aristocract or country gentleman, who wants for nothing. He rules, in the typical royal manner, over the estate. His emotions are complicated, as he is capable of feeling satisfaction, pride, and egotism. Indeed, Buck “…was king, - king over all creeping, crawling, flying things of Judge Miller’s place, humans included” (p. 3). Buck occupies the highest position of power and respect on Judge Miller’s property - no human or animal ranks above him. In the Fall of 1897, however, Buck’s luck drastically changes. The “kidnapped king” (p. 5) suddenly finds himself on a sled dog team in Dyea, Alaska. Between his more seasoned colleagues, Dave and Sol-leks, Buck learns the new work: “Apt scholar that he was, [Dave and Sol-leks] were equally apt teachers, never allowing him to linger long in error, and enforcing their teaching with their sharp teeth” (p. 20). In Alaska, the proud, egotistical king quickly becomes the novice scholar - in a new world where veteran sled dogs (the teachers) wield power. The work and environment invigorates Buck. His new duties consume him and he soon rises to a position of power himself. At the head of a sled team in the wild North, a certain kind of joy comes to Buck: “This ecstasy, this forgetfulness of living, comes to the artist, caught up and out of himself in a sheet of flame; it comes to the soldier, war-mad on a stricken field and refusing quarter; and it came to Buck, leading the pack…” (p. 37). In his role as sled team leader, Buck has the same experiences as dedicated human professionals in their field. He reaches a place where he feels the same passion as an artist, and the same intensity as a soldier. Throughout the adventure of his life, Buck has similar experiences to kings, scholars, artists, and soldiers.

Nature

Like Buck, the “North” (p. 3), or Yukon, also comes to life as a vibrant character. Soon after his kidnapping, Buck travels north to see the, “Chilcoot Divide, which stands between the salt water and fresh and guards forbiddingly the sad and lonely North” (p. 20). Upon his first encounter with the North, the former king Buck seems to meet a king of the wild. On Buck’s property, “a legion of housemaids armed with brooms and mops” (p. 2), stand guard. In the wild, the Chilcoot Divide stands guard. The Divide initially stands between Buck and the North, a character Buck comes to know as sad and lonely. Like Buck, the North changes over time. In the Spring, “The Yukon was straining to break loose the ice that bound it down. It ate away from beneath; the sun ate from above” (p. 64). The Yukon makes a great effort to escape the winter, and eats the ice in order to break free. Like a good friend, the sun assists the Yukon in its endeavor. As the Yukon dissolves the ice, it seems to pay no attention to the location of other living beings. One Spring, Buck observes humans and dogs on the river ice when suddenly he sees, “…a whole section of ice give way and dogs and humans disappear. A yawning hole was all that was to be seen” (p. 67). The Yukon breaks free of winter, and, still sleepy, the Yukon yawns in an attempt to fully wake for the Spring. Like a giant that cannot be bothered by insignificant creatures, the Yukon isn’t always aware of what it swallows. The Yukon can, however, communicate effectively with these creatures when it so desires. The Yukon communicates with Buck in order to alert him to a significant event. As Buck traverses the wilderness, he senses that “…the very breeze whispered of it. Several times [Buck] stopped and drew in the fresh morning air in great sniffs, reading a message which made him leap on with greater speed” (p. 97). The Yukon whispers the news to Buck, and he in turn clearly understands the urgent messages. In London’s world, the Yukon is moody and powerful, yet subtle and communicative.

A king in California, Buck becomes a lowly scholar, and eventually, with the help of his canine teachers, a passionate professional in his field. As Buck is able to adapt, so is the North - which adjusts according to the seasons. Both Buck and the North exhibit emotion, nuance, and power. They both prove their ability to overcome humans, who are no more dignified or strong than any other presence on earth. In his novel, London humbles the race of men. He brings attention to the significance of dogs and nature in the world. When Buck begins to live a life among dogs in nature, without humans, Buck’s gains make the absence of humans no great loss.

References

London, J. (2011). The call of the wild. Collins Classics. (Original publication 1903).