Chapter 1
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
In the beginning of Chapter 1, how is Buck described?
Buck is described as a "tide-water dog, strong of muscle and with warm, long hair"(p. 1).
Based on this description, how do you think he will deal with the hardships of the Yukon Territory?
I think he will be well suited to deal with the hardships of the Yukon Territory.
Which of his traits will serve him in his new life? Which will he have to abandon to survive?
The muscle trait and the long hair trait will probably serve him well. He will probably have to abandon the tide-water dog trait.
What important lesson did Buck learn from the man with the club?
The lesson Buck learned was to respect men with clubs.
What is meant by the line, "It was his introduction to the reign of primitive law, and he met the introduction halfway."?
It means that he was going to learn about primitive law but he learned about it ahead of time.
How did Francois begin to earn Buck's respect? From the description of this incident, predict what Buck's relationship will be with "a big, snowy-white fellow from Spitzbergen."?
Francois began to earn Buck's respect by fairly lashing Spitz when he stole Buck's food.
What is the significance of the title of this chapter?
The chapter is called into the primitive and Buck gets taught about primitive law.
In the beginning of Chapter 1, how is Buck described?
Buck is described as a "tide-water dog, strong of muscle and with warm, long hair"(p. 1).
Based on this description, how do you think he will deal with the hardships of the Yukon Territory?
I think he will be well suited to deal with the hardships of the Yukon Territory.
Which of his traits will serve him in his new life? Which will he have to abandon to survive?
The muscle trait and the long hair trait will probably serve him well. He will probably have to abandon the tide-water dog trait.
What important lesson did Buck learn from the man with the club?
The lesson Buck learned was to respect men with clubs.
What is meant by the line, "It was his introduction to the reign of primitive law, and he met the introduction halfway."?
It means that he was going to learn about primitive law but he learned about it ahead of time.
How did Francois begin to earn Buck's respect? From the description of this incident, predict what Buck's relationship will be with "a big, snowy-white fellow from Spitzbergen."?
Francois began to earn Buck's respect by fairly lashing Spitz when he stole Buck's food.
What is the significance of the title of this chapter?
The chapter is called into the primitive and Buck gets taught about primitive law.
VOCABULARY:
Demesne - land next to a property, estate
"And over this great demesne Buck ruled"(p. 2)
Populous - very full
"resided in the populous kennels"(p. 2)
Imperiously - commanding, dominent
"Among the terriers he stalked imperiously"(p. 3)
Sated - appease by indulging to the full
"he had lived the life of a sated aristocrat"(p. 3)
Insular - isolated, detached
"because of their insular situation"(p. 3)
Progeny - offspring, children
"over the needs of a wife and numerous progeny"(p. 4)
Deft - skillful, quickly and accurately
"and with a deft twist"(p. 5)
Futilely - serving no useful purpose
"and his great chest panting futilely"(p. 5)
Vilely - physically repulsive
"had he been so vilely treated"(p. 5)
Hydrophobia - rabies
"'If I don't get the hydrophoby'"(p. 6)
Impending - hover threateningly
"by the vague sense of impending calamity"(p. 7)
Calamity - an event that causes great harm and suffering
"by the vague sense of impending calamity"(p. 7)
Surcharged - to fill or load to excess
"surcharged with the pent passion of two days and nights"(p. 10)
Slaver - allow liquid to drip out of the mouth
"sprayed and flecked with bloody slaver"(p. 11)
Primitive - of, belonging to, or seeming to come from an early time in the very ancient past
"to the reign of primitive law"(p. 12)
Demesne - land next to a property, estate
"And over this great demesne Buck ruled"(p. 2)
Populous - very full
"resided in the populous kennels"(p. 2)
Imperiously - commanding, dominent
"Among the terriers he stalked imperiously"(p. 3)
Sated - appease by indulging to the full
"he had lived the life of a sated aristocrat"(p. 3)
Insular - isolated, detached
"because of their insular situation"(p. 3)
Progeny - offspring, children
"over the needs of a wife and numerous progeny"(p. 4)
Deft - skillful, quickly and accurately
"and with a deft twist"(p. 5)
Futilely - serving no useful purpose
"and his great chest panting futilely"(p. 5)
Vilely - physically repulsive
"had he been so vilely treated"(p. 5)
Hydrophobia - rabies
"'If I don't get the hydrophoby'"(p. 6)
Impending - hover threateningly
"by the vague sense of impending calamity"(p. 7)
Calamity - an event that causes great harm and suffering
"by the vague sense of impending calamity"(p. 7)
Surcharged - to fill or load to excess
"surcharged with the pent passion of two days and nights"(p. 10)
Slaver - allow liquid to drip out of the mouth
"sprayed and flecked with bloody slaver"(p. 11)
Primitive - of, belonging to, or seeming to come from an early time in the very ancient past
"to the reign of primitive law"(p. 12)
ACTIVITIES:
2.) In a 5-7 sentence journal entry tell about a time that you were nervous or scared in a situation or of a person. Were your instincts correct? Explain.
One time I was nervous of a situation because I had a solo to sing. I had to sing the solo at my brother's First Communion. I had to sing a whole song in front of all the second grader's parents and family. The only reason I had to sing was because they didn't have enough reading parts for everyone. It turned out to be really easy and I didn't mess up. It was scary but fun.
2.) In a 5-7 sentence journal entry tell about a time that you were nervous or scared in a situation or of a person. Were your instincts correct? Explain.
One time I was nervous of a situation because I had a solo to sing. I had to sing the solo at my brother's First Communion. I had to sing a whole song in front of all the second grader's parents and family. The only reason I had to sing was because they didn't have enough reading parts for everyone. It turned out to be really easy and I didn't mess up. It was scary but fun.