Kidnapped and sold into a brutal workforce in the frozen Arctic, Buck is in for an adventure. Jack London's The Call of the Wild captivates readers with its realistic insight into the mind of a sled dog on a plight to find himself.
Buck, a domesticated pet from a southern home, is kidnapped and sold to go to work pulling sleds in the Klondike gold rush. He meets brutal men who rule with clubs, kind drivers who marvel at his talent and one man whom he learns to love. Along the way, Buck learns how to defend himself in the cruel, competitive world of sled dogs, steal necessary food, and stay on the winning side of fights. In order to become the leader of the pack, Buck even fights one dog, Spitz, to the death.
London, a seasoned gold rusher himself, paints vivid scenes of the Canadian wilderness, barren ice trails, and rugged trading posts.
Throughout the story, Buck finds a certain thrill from living in the wild. The instincts passed down from ancient generations tug at Buck's heart. After his best friend, John Thornton dies in a Yeehat attack, Buck finds that "man and the claims of man no longer [bind] him" (The Call of the Wild, 134). He can finally answer the "call of the wild" and join his feral brethren.
Buck is a strong willed character who stands up for his beliefs and gets what he wants. Even though he is canine, he can be a role model for people everywhere. I learned from Buck never to allow my past to control my path in life. I must take charge and answer whatever call my heart may feel.
I would recommend Jack London's The Call of the Wild to anyone and everyone. Readers will laugh and cry (if they have any heart at all that is) at Buck's journey to find himself. This classic is still a must-read.
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