Transcript The Call of the Wild
The Call of the Wild
Jack London
Consider this quote:
“ So that was the way. No fair play. Once down, that was the end of you. Well, he would see to it that he never went down. Spitz ran out his tongue and laughed again, and from that moment, Buck hated Spitz with a bitter and deathless hatred.” What conflict do you see building at this point in the story, and what may it foreshadow?
Themes in Ch. 1-3
The call of the Wild
is full of many important themes. Using your tree map, determine which piece of support fits under each theme. Then, find one other piece of support for each theme.
Themes in
The call of the Wild
Survival Buck learns to steal food Law of Club and Fang The man in the red sweater beats Buck so that he will obey Primitive Vs. Civilized behavior Buck joins the other dogs in a nocturnal howl at the moon Pride in toil in the traces Dave yelps with eagerness at morning harness
Questions 1. What are the major plot events in this chapter?
Name: Date: Topic:
The Call of the Wild, Ch. 3
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Conflict arises between Buck and Spitz when Spitz takes Buck’s sleeping nest.
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Then, while they are fighting, the camp is attacked by wild huskies and all the dogs are injured. Spitz tries to attack Buck Again.
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Dolly goes mad and attacks Buck. Dolly then must be killed to save the rest of the team. Seeing Buck wounded, Spitz attacks again.
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Angry at Spitz, Buck begins to stir up the team and cause problems in order to threaten Spitz’s leadership
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The final clash between Buck and Spitz occurs after a rabbit chase. Spitz catches the rabbit and forgets about Buck. Buck attacks Spitz and finally kills him.
2. What are the important themes in this novel?
Important Themes
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The law of club and fang
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Survival of the fittest
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Pride in the toil and traces Civilized vs. Primitive behavior
3. Why is this chapter a turning point in the story?
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4. Do you think Buck deserves to become the new team leader?
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Summary
Word 1. Repugnance 2. Infinitesimal
3.
Transient 4. Pertinacity Vocabulary pt. 2 Know it + can explain it Heard it No clue Definition A strong distaste or Hatred for Immeasurably small Lasting only a small time Moving often Being very determined And persistent
Word 5. Formidable 6 . Tangible 7. Simulate 8. Carnivorous Vocabulary Continued Know it + can explain it Heard it before No clue Definition Of great strength, force or power Real or actual, able to be seen or touched To copy or create a model of Flesh or meat eating 9. Dejected 10. Callowness Depressed in spirits Immaturity and inexperience
1. In what ways does Buck show mastership?
2. How is dialogue used and why is it important?
Name: Date: Topic: Ch. 4+5 Notes Ch. 4: Who Has Won to Mastership
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Buck has killed Spitz and cleverly becomes the leader of the team
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Francois and Perrault have underestimated his power as lead dog. Under Buck, the team regains its solidarity and makes record runs.
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The team is then sold to run the civilian mail train
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Under these harsh conditions, Dave becomes sick and must be killed. This is the beginning of the end for many of the dogs.
Dialogue : Conversation between characters.
* Dialogue between Francious and Perrault explains Buck’s skills as a leader.
3. What problems do Hal, Charles, and Mercedes face?
Chapter 5: The Toil of Trace and trail
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The dogs are overworked and tired. Official orders has them sold to Hal, Charles, and Mercedes, three stampeders.
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These owners are inexperienced and mistreat the dogs. As a result, the dogs slowly die off.
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They run into John Thornton who suggests they stop and rest before leaving for Dawson.
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Hal, Charles, and Mercedes disagree and leave anyway.
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Thornton cuts Buck from his traces and saves his life. The two of them watch, as the two men, the women, and the team fall through the ice and die.
4. In what ways is Ch. 5 a climactic turning point?
Climactic Event : John Thornton Attacks Hal, and Buck is nearly beaten to death.
* This is a turning point because Buck is no longer a possession or a work dog.
Musical Questions
Directions: When the music plays, you must move around the room. When the music stops, you must sit down with a partner and answer the given questions. You must find a new person for each round 1. Why did Francois and Perrault not initially choose Buck as the leader after Spitz’s death? Who did they choose and why?
2. Describe at least two ways that Buck proves himself a superior leader to Spitz.
Musical Questions Cont.
3. Springtime is thought of as a time for beauty and joy. What made the springtime with Hal, Charles, and Mercedes ironic?
4. How did John Thornton save Buck’s life? What do you predict their relationship will be like?
5. What does the following simile tell us about Mercedes’ character in the story? What conflicts did she create?
Simile: Mercedes attacked the belongings of her men like a tornado!