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STUDYWORLD STUDYNOTES

The Call of the Wild

Chapter 4: Who Has Won to Mastership

Summary:

In the morning, the men realize what has happened when they see that Spitz is missing and Buck is covered with blood. Francois selects Sol-leks to lead the team, however, Buck makes it known to all that he expects to be given the lead position. He soon proves to all that he is very good in this role.

When Francois and Perrault receive official orders that they will be working in another place, the team is taken over by a Scotsman and they start to haul heavy loads of supplies. They are treated well but Dave falls ill with an unusual illness and has to be killed.

Review:

Jack London excels in his ability to create realism and suspense by his use of details. He was a very sensitive, aware, and alert person and is able to make the reader feel that he/she is actually there.

The concept of irony is introduced in the way the chapter begins and ends. In the beginning, Buck's team makes the record run. It ends with a shot that puts a dying dog out of its misery. What starts out promising ends not in a celebration but in sadness.

It is interesting to note the similarities between the way Dave reacts when he cannot work and the way humans would behave. There are some humans who need the achievement and pride of work and feel diminished when they are unable to work.