I never expected my first exposure to literature would be through a historical adventure story “The Call of the Wild” by Jack London, featuring an unusual canine hero instead of a more commonly valiant human protagonist.
Exploring the extremes of the wild, from sun-kissed fields of California to deep-snowed Alaska, The Call of the Wild is a classic adventure novel that delves into the complexity of human nature and its conflict with our animal drives. Through our furry protagonist, Buck, we witness his journey through an ever-changing cast of humans, from luxury and laziness in the comfortable California hills to the hardship and struggle of the frozen north of Alaska, which, in many ways, resembled the vicissitudes of human life. Ultimately, Buck is taken under the wing of John Thornton, an honest and principled gold hunter who recognizes Buck's qualities and with whom the dog enjoys a deep, and affecting rapport.
Animals play a crucial role in many of Jack London’s stories, especially the half-wolf breed, whom he believed is the crossroad between civilization and wildness. London's depiction of animal behavior in The Call of the Wild is highly believable, as he carefully portrays the animal's ability to adapt and survive in their environment. Through this narrative, London implies that humans are also animals that need to adapt to their societal surroundings. Humans must constantly adjust to different characteristics and settings, just as animals do in their natural habitats. As such, there may be a deeper connection between humans and animals, as they both share an innate drive for survival and must utilize their wits and instincts to survive in their respective environments.
Critics note that the connection between humans and animals is emphasized throughout The Call of the Wild through London's use of anthropomorphism. Jack London's narrative gives Buck the ability to imagine, decide, realize, know, and wonder, allowing the reader to empathize with his experiences and choices. By attributing human characteristics and emotions to the animal protagonist, Buck, the narrator offers a more human perspective on his struggles and challenges although he often acts on his instinct to resolve the problems presented in the story which was shown through the struggle for power between Buck and Spitz. The writer incorporates details of love and loyalty not only through John Thornton but also through other animals, as told by the story, “Buck’s surprise these dogs manifested no jealousy toward him. They seemed to share the kindliness and largeness of John Thornton. As Buck grew stronger they enticed him into all sorts of ridiculous games, in which Thornton himself could not forbear to join; and in this fashion Buck romped through his convalescence and into a new existence. Love, genuine passionate love, was his for the first time¨.
While London's anthropomorphizing of Buck drew criticism for its "unnatural" human characteristics, London dismissed these accusations as "homocentric" and "amateur". He explained that, far from depicting Buck as an artificially intelligent dog, he was merely portraying his reactions and instincts, guided by emotion and sensation rather than reasoning. By emphasizing his characters' inability to engage in abstract reasoning, London hoped to create a more realistic portrayal of animal behavior, rather than a sanitized and unrealistic depiction crafted to appease human sensibilities.
I personally adore the human traits of Buck, whether it is by instinct or by intelligence. While many praise the story for its immaculate depiction of Buck’s transformation from civilization to wilderness as the centerpiece, I see little mention of the message about both humanistic and animalistic love and relationship, which is prevalent in not only “The Call of the Wild” but also in many of Jack London’s animal fables. The relationship between John and Buck is characterized by loyalty and trust. Buck demonstrates his loyalty and love by being willing to do whatever John Thornton asks of him, including being prepared to jump off a cliff to his death when Thornton asks him to do so. He also proves his loyalty to Thornton by jumping into the river after Thornton is thrown from a boat into the wild rapids.
"The Call of the Wild" by Jack London profoundly impacted me when I first read it as a nine-year-old child, despite me missing its main theme of survival of the fittest at the time. Nevertheless, the idea of love and loyalty between humans and animals has stuck with me ever since, leaving a lasting impression on me. This story is a must-read and is undoubtedly worthy of a perfect 10/10 rating.
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