STUDYWORLD STUDYNOTES

The Call of the Wild

Chapter 7: The Sounding of the Call

Summary:

As time goes on, Buck's yearning for the wild seems to become more prevalent. One day, he wanders into the forest near the camp and meets a lone wolf in the woods. He establishes a friendship and begins to feel very much at home. Even though enjoys this setting, his loyalty to John draws him back to the camp.

He continues his visits into the forest and begins to stay away longer periods of time. One day, after he had been gone several days, he senses that something was amiss. When he reaches the camp, he finds Thornton's dogs lying dead on the ground from arrow wounds. He sees several Indians and attacks one of them. Soon, he is able to chase them away but he realizes that he has returned too late. The camp is in shambles and Thornton has been killed.

Buck feels a sense of sadness over the loss of his master and for a while mourns his loss. In time he realizes that there is nothing holding him back now and he decides to leave civilization behind. He again wanders into the forest and feels free to answer his inner call of the wild.

Review:

This chapter depicts the resolution of Buck's conflict between the call of the wild and his love for John Thornton.

Buck answers the call of the wild, joining his wolf brother and the pack. He soon becomes the pack leader but returns each summer to visit John Thornton's camp.

The myth of the Evil Spirit who lives in a valley - a valley the Yeehats must never enter - is a result of Buck's attack on the Yeehats. The Ghost Dog - of legendary size and cunning - is actually Buck himself.