Chapter 2
Discussion Questions:
1.) What are the "laws of club and fang" that Buck learned in Chapter 2? How are these laws different from what Buck was used to?
The "laws of club and fang" are to obey. These laws are different because they are much harder and more cruel than what he was used to.
2.) What is the one thing that Dave and Sol-leks live for? Why do you think they are like this? How do you think they got this way? Can you think of examples of other animals or humans that show these traits? What does this tell you about animal and human nature?
The one thing Dave and Sol-leks live for is being alone. They are like this because they don't like people. They might of had a bad experience with people. When people have a bad day. This tells you that sometimes people want to be left alone.
3.) If you were Buck, which of the other sled dogs would you choose to be your teacher and why? How is this dog like or unlike Francois as a teacher?
I would choose Dave or Sol-leks because they are good and just teachers. These dogs are unlike Francois as a teacher because I would just be afraid of Francois.
4.) What trait insures that Buck will survive in the north? How is this aspect of his character shown in the story? How would this trait be accepted in his former life? What does this say about the differences in the two worlds?
A trait is that he learns very quickly. He learns how to do some things that he wasn't taught. This trait would not be accepted because it would be thought of as bad behavior. It says that one is more flexible about what you have to do.
5.) Explain the meaning of the following quotation:
"And not only did he learn by experience, but instincts long dead became alive again. The domesticated generations fell from him. In vague ways he remembered back to the youth of the breed, to the time the world dogs ranged in packs through the primeval forest and killed their meat as they ran it down...Thus, as a token of what a puppet thing life is, the ancient song surged through him and he came into his own again."
It means that he is becoming more of a wolf instead of a dog again.
6.) In adapting to his new world, has Buck developed or retrogressed? Defend your answer.
Buck has developed because he has learned very quickly on his own how to do very many things.
1.) What are the "laws of club and fang" that Buck learned in Chapter 2? How are these laws different from what Buck was used to?
The "laws of club and fang" are to obey. These laws are different because they are much harder and more cruel than what he was used to.
2.) What is the one thing that Dave and Sol-leks live for? Why do you think they are like this? How do you think they got this way? Can you think of examples of other animals or humans that show these traits? What does this tell you about animal and human nature?
The one thing Dave and Sol-leks live for is being alone. They are like this because they don't like people. They might of had a bad experience with people. When people have a bad day. This tells you that sometimes people want to be left alone.
3.) If you were Buck, which of the other sled dogs would you choose to be your teacher and why? How is this dog like or unlike Francois as a teacher?
I would choose Dave or Sol-leks because they are good and just teachers. These dogs are unlike Francois as a teacher because I would just be afraid of Francois.
4.) What trait insures that Buck will survive in the north? How is this aspect of his character shown in the story? How would this trait be accepted in his former life? What does this say about the differences in the two worlds?
A trait is that he learns very quickly. He learns how to do some things that he wasn't taught. This trait would not be accepted because it would be thought of as bad behavior. It says that one is more flexible about what you have to do.
5.) Explain the meaning of the following quotation:
"And not only did he learn by experience, but instincts long dead became alive again. The domesticated generations fell from him. In vague ways he remembered back to the youth of the breed, to the time the world dogs ranged in packs through the primeval forest and killed their meat as they ran it down...Thus, as a token of what a puppet thing life is, the ancient song surged through him and he came into his own again."
It means that he is becoming more of a wolf instead of a dog again.
6.) In adapting to his new world, has Buck developed or retrogressed? Defend your answer.
Buck has developed because he has learned very quickly on his own how to do very many things.
Vocabulary:
Primordial - existing at the very beginning
"flung into the heart of things primordial"(p. 21)
Reproof - an expression of censure or rebuke
"he growled sharp reproof now and again"(p. 22)
Tuition - teaching or instruction
"and under the combined tuition of his two mates"(p. 22)
Appeasingly - To bring to a state of peace
"Billee wagged his tail appeasingly"(p. 23)
Diabolically - devil like
"and eyes diabolically gleaming"(p. 23)
Disconsolate - without consolation
"Miserable and disconsolate"(p. 23)
Gee - to turn to the right
"guiding the sled at the gee pole"
Primordial - existing at the very beginning
"flung into the heart of things primordial"(p. 21)
Reproof - an expression of censure or rebuke
"he growled sharp reproof now and again"(p. 22)
Tuition - teaching or instruction
"and under the combined tuition of his two mates"(p. 22)
Appeasingly - To bring to a state of peace
"Billee wagged his tail appeasingly"(p. 23)
Diabolically - devil like
"and eyes diabolically gleaming"(p. 23)
Disconsolate - without consolation
"Miserable and disconsolate"(p. 23)
Gee - to turn to the right
"guiding the sled at the gee pole"
Activities: (Choose one of the activities listed below to complete)
6.) Looking at the titles of the first three chapters, make predictions about what will happen to Buck in the rest of the novel.
I predict that Buck will become more and more primordial and less domesticated.
6.) Looking at the titles of the first three chapters, make predictions about what will happen to Buck in the rest of the novel.
I predict that Buck will become more and more primordial and less domesticated.