1. The Call of the Wild Ⅵ. FOR THE LOVE OF A MAN 20062444 곽상원 20070000 임기택 20070000 진민희

2. CONTENTS Ⅰ. Themes, Motifs & Symbols Ⅱ. A Plot & Important Quotation Ⅲ. Analysis of Major Character Ⅳ. Vocabularies

3. Theme 1. The Indispensable Struggle for Mastery It is a story of transformation of Buck in the North. London’s depiction owes much to Charles Darwin, who envisioned a natural world defined by fierce competition for scarce resources. The term often used to describe Darwin’s the evolution theory. “the survival of the fittest,” a phrase that describes Buck’s experience perfectly.

4. Buck does not merely want to survive; he wants to dominate- In this quest, we can observe the influence of Friedrich Nietzsche. Nietzsche’s worldview held that the world was composed of masters, those who possessed what he called “the will to power,” and slaves, those who did not possess this will. London suggests that there is no higher destiny for man or beast than to struggle. Theme

5. 2. The Power of Ancestral Memory and Primitive Instincts The technical term for what happens to Buck is atavism— the reappearance in a modern creature of traits that defined its remote forebears. London returns to this theme again and again, constantly reminding us that Buck is “retrogressing,” Theme

6. 3. The Laws of Civilization and of Wilderness What is important in both worlds is to understand and abide by the rules, and it is only when rules are broken that we see true disrespect for life. The wild does not allow wanton behavior but instead institutes natural order different from the civilized world. Theme

7. 4. The Membership of the Individual in the Group When he requires external help, Dave and Sol-leks instruct Buck in the sled pulling. Furthermore, the members take pride in their work. The other valued traits is individualism. When John Thornton cuts Buck free from his harness, he is also beginning the process of Buck’s separation from a pack mentality. Theme

8. Motifs Violent Struggle Life-and-death battles punctuate Buck's gradual integration into his new environment. He watches Curly brutally killed by a husky. Soon, he finds himself in a rivalry with Spitz, after a battle only Buck emerges alive as a dominant beast. Visions One of the themes of The Call of the Wild is “atavism,” (return to old primitive) or an animal’s recovery of the instincts of his wild ancestors. For Buck, this recovery involves repeated visions. Each of these visions brings him closer to his destiny.

9. Symbols Mercedes’ Possessions Material possessions and consumerism have no place in the wild. Buck’s Traces The significance of Buck’s traces—changes as the plot develops. The novel initially charts his position as the monarch in civilization. After duel with Spitz, his harness represents leadership. Finally, John Thornton cuts Buck free from his traces, an act that symbolizes his freedom.(textbook 56page at the bottom)

10. A plot summary Buck slowly gets his strength back. John Thornton had frozen his feet during the previous winter, and he and his dogs are now waiting for the river to melt and for a raft to take them down to Dawson. With Thornton, Buck experiences love for the first time, developing a strong affection for the man who saved his life and who proves an ideal master. Thornton treats his dogs as if they are his own children, and Buck responds with adoration and obeys all commands. Once, to test Buck, Thornton tells him to jump off a cliff; Buck begins to obey before Thornton stops him.

11. A plot summary Even though Buck is happy with Thornton, his wild instincts still remain strong, and he fights as fiercely as ever. Now, however, he fights in defense of Thornton. In Dawson, Thornton steps in to stop a fight in a bar, and one of the combatants lashes out at him. Immediately, Buck hurls himself at the man’s throat; the man narrowly escapes having his throat ripped open when he throws up his hand, though Buck succeeds in partially ripping it open with his second try. A meeting is called on the spot to decide what to do with Buck, and the miners rule that his aggressive behavior was justified, since he acted in defense of Thornton. Soon, Buck has earned a reputation throughout Alaska for loyalty and ferocity.

12. A plot summary Buck saves Thornton’s life again when Thornton is thrown out of a boat and gets caught in fierce rapids. Buck swims to the slick rock where Thornton clings for his life, and the other men attach a rope to Buck’s neck and shoulders. After several failed attempts, Thornton grabs onto his neck, and the two are pulled back to safety.

13. That winter, on a strange whim, Thornton boasts that Buck can start a sled with a thousand pounds loaded on it. Other men challenge his claim, betting that Buck cannot perform that task before their eyes. A man named Matthewson, who has grown rich in the gold rush, bets a thousand dollars that Buck cannot pull his sled—which is outside, loaded with a thousand pounds of flour. Thornton himself doubts it, but he makes the bet anyway, borrowing the money from a friend to cover the wager. Several hundred men come to watch, giving odds—first two to one, then three to one when the terms of the bet are clarified—that Buck cannot break out the sled, and a confident Matthewson throws on another $600 at those odds. Once Buck is harnessed in, he first breaks the sled free of the ice, then pulls it a hundred yards. The crowd of men cheers in amazement, with even Matthewson joining in the applause. A plot summary

14. Important Quotation each day mankind and the claims of mankind slipped farther from him. Deep in the forest a call was sounding, and as often as he heard this call, mysteriously thrilling and luring, he felt compelled to turn his back upon the fire, and to plunge into the forest,...... the love of John Thornton drew him back to the fire again. (textbook 61page 2nd paragraph) Explanation for Quotation >> It depicts the tension within Buck during his time with John Thornton. Their relationship represents a perfect partnership between man and dog. London tells us that this is the first time that Buck has truly loved a human being. He is torn between the urges that pull him away from humanity and his intense loyalty to Thornton. That love is the only thing tying him to the world of men.

15. Analysis of Major Characters Buck Buck comes across as far more than a creature of instinct. He also possesses a capacity for mystical experiences and for great, unselfish love, as his relationship to Thornton amply demonstrates. He may be a dog, but he is more human than many of the people around him. Buck’s story is cyclical: Buck begins as a spoiled regent, but he abruptly sees everything taken away from him. In between, Buck undergoes experiences that provide him with greater insight about the world. The Call of the Wild is, as its title suggests, a celebration of wildness, of primitive life

16. John Thornton The work presents us with the character of John Thornton, whose connection to Buck suggests that there may be something good and natural in the human-dog relationship, despite its flaws. Thornton, a seasoned gold prospector, saves Buck from Hal and then becomes Buck’s master. Buck is prone to visions of more primitive worlds and sometimes he sees the humans around him as ancient men. His relationship to Thornton, the novel implies, is like these ancient man-dog connections; it is primitive rather than civilized.

17. Vocabularies limp -[limp]- If a person or animal limps, they walk with difficulty or in an uneven way because one of their legs or feet is hurt. demonstrative -[dim ɑ ́nstrətiv / -m ɔ ́n] -Someone who is demonstrative shows affection freely and openly. romp -[r ɑ mp / r ɔ mp] -to play in a happy and noisy way pompous -[p ɑ ́mpəs / p ɔ ́m-] -showing that you think you are more important than other people, especially by using long and formal words antagonist -[æntǽgənist] -a person who strongly opposes sb/sth peremptorily -[pərémptəri, pérəmpt ɔ ̀ ː ri] -in a way that allows no discussion or refusal imperiously -[impíəriəs]- expecting people to obey you and treating them as if they are not as important as you uncanny -[ ʌ nkǽni] -weird strange and difficult to explain

18. Vocabularies hanker -[hǽŋkər] - to have a strong desire for sth provocation -[pr ɑ ̀vəkéi ʃ ən / pr ɔ ̀v-] - the act of doing or saying sth deliberately in order to make sb angry or upset amid- [əmíd] prep. -in the middle of or during sth, especially sth that causes excitement or fear swirl -[swə ː rl] -to move around quickly in a circle obediently -[oubí ː diənt] -doing what you are told to do snub -[sn ʌ b] -to insult sb, especially by ignoring them when you meet strangle -[strǽŋg-əl] - to kill sb by squeezing or pressing on their throat and neck exploit -[ékspl ɔ it, ikspl ɔ ́it] -to treat a person or situation as an opportunity to gain an advantage for yourself