Socialization In The Call Of The Wild

How does one’s socialization create tension between their connection with nature and civilization? In The Call of the Wild, Jack London has the protagonist, Buck, change from living like a king to living in the wild. When Buck’s environment is altered he goes from being kind and optimistic to on-guard and connected with his canine ancestors. This is the battle between succumbing to one’s nature or adhering to the rules of civilization, and London clearly demonstrates his stance. London magnifies how nature is all consuming and, in the end, everything will eventually be captivated by it.

Early on, the idea of yielding to one’s nature only seems like a small inconvenience to Buck, but then grows into a longing over time. When Buck starts to face the call he finally begins to feel complete; as imaged, “Buck was wildly glad. He knew he was, at last, answering the call...he had done this before, somewhat in that other and dimly remembered world” (London 92). This

Whereas, Buck has his owner John Thornton, who he is loyal to, and their relationship faces a strain as Buck became more distant since being in the wild makes Buck feel like he is at home. Buck’s often disappearances lead to his transformation from a canine in front of the men into a beast behind the scenes as he narrated, “...They did not see the instant and terrible transformation which took place as soon as he was within the secrecy of the forest...at once he became a thing of the wild” (London 95). At this point, there was no way for Buck to return into civilization, especially once he became snappy with John Thornton. This rejection of human contact is one of the huge hints that Buck has already departed from civilization before his physical departure. Since embracing Buck’s canine ancestors makes him feel the most at home, the only way for Buck to feel complete is to follow this