Chapter 5
Discussion Questions:
1.) Reread London's first description of Hal and Charles. What do you think will happen to them based on this initial description?
You can assume that they are messy, unorganized, and unexperianced so they will have problems and trouble.
2.) What was Mercedes' reaction when experienced men went though to lighten the load? What does this say about her and about her relationship with her husband and brother?
She is upset and mad because she doesn't want to. It says that she is only thinking about herself and always gets her way.
3.) Compare Charles, Hal and Mercedes to any other characters you've met in other books, movies, plays, television shows, or real life. What traits did Buck have that allowed him to adapt to the north that they lacked?
The men are like the two bad guys in Home Alone and Mercedes is like one of the Kardashians. Buck has instincts, creativity, and knowledge of the trail.
4.) Why do you think London included these three characters in the book? What do they represent?
I think London put them in the story to remind Buck of how much he has learned and endured from when he lived in the south. They represent the unknowing, cushy life in the south.
5.) Why did Buck refuse to rise and lead the team? What did he have that his masters lacked?
He didn't rise because he felt that something bad was going to happen. He had premonition and his masters did not.
1.) Reread London's first description of Hal and Charles. What do you think will happen to them based on this initial description?
You can assume that they are messy, unorganized, and unexperianced so they will have problems and trouble.
2.) What was Mercedes' reaction when experienced men went though to lighten the load? What does this say about her and about her relationship with her husband and brother?
She is upset and mad because she doesn't want to. It says that she is only thinking about herself and always gets her way.
3.) Compare Charles, Hal and Mercedes to any other characters you've met in other books, movies, plays, television shows, or real life. What traits did Buck have that allowed him to adapt to the north that they lacked?
The men are like the two bad guys in Home Alone and Mercedes is like one of the Kardashians. Buck has instincts, creativity, and knowledge of the trail.
4.) Why do you think London included these three characters in the book? What do they represent?
I think London put them in the story to remind Buck of how much he has learned and endured from when he lived in the south. They represent the unknowing, cushy life in the south.
5.) Why did Buck refuse to rise and lead the team? What did he have that his masters lacked?
He didn't rise because he felt that something bad was going to happen. He had premonition and his masters did not.
Vocabulary:
Salient - most noticeable or important
"This belt was the most salient thing about him"(p.65
Callow - inexperienced
"It advertized his callowness"(p.65)
Chaffering - to haggle
"Buck heard the chaffering"(p. 65)
Apprehensively - fearful that something bad will happen
"Buck watched them apprehensively"(p. 65)
Remonstrance - forcefully reproachful protest
"unbroken chattering of remonstrance"(p. 66)
Averred - state or assert to be the case
"She averred she would not go an inch"(p. 70)
Jaded - tired, bored, and lacking enthusiasm
"jaded and tired"(p. 72)
Voracious - wanted or devouring great amounts of food
"had voracious appetites"(p. 73)
Cajole - presuade someone to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery
"could not cajole him into giving the dogs still more"(p. 73)
Innocuously - not harmful or offensive
"Hal swearing innocuously"(p. 80)
Terse - sparing the use of words;abrupt
"terse advise"(p. 80)
Inarticulate - unable to speak distinctly or express oneself clearly
"Uttering a cry that was inarticulate"(p. 82)
Salient - most noticeable or important
"This belt was the most salient thing about him"(p.65
Callow - inexperienced
"It advertized his callowness"(p.65)
Chaffering - to haggle
"Buck heard the chaffering"(p. 65)
Apprehensively - fearful that something bad will happen
"Buck watched them apprehensively"(p. 65)
Remonstrance - forcefully reproachful protest
"unbroken chattering of remonstrance"(p. 66)
Averred - state or assert to be the case
"She averred she would not go an inch"(p. 70)
Jaded - tired, bored, and lacking enthusiasm
"jaded and tired"(p. 72)
Voracious - wanted or devouring great amounts of food
"had voracious appetites"(p. 73)
Cajole - presuade someone to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery
"could not cajole him into giving the dogs still more"(p. 73)
Innocuously - not harmful or offensive
"Hal swearing innocuously"(p. 80)
Terse - sparing the use of words;abrupt
"terse advise"(p. 80)
Inarticulate - unable to speak distinctly or express oneself clearly
"Uttering a cry that was inarticulate"(p. 82)
Activities:
4.) Imagine you are one of Buck's owners: Francois, Perault, the Scotch half-breed, Hal, Charles, or Mercedes. Write a letter home to a friend telling about your experience in the Yukon. Be sure your letter reflects the personality of the character you have chosen.
Dear friend,
I hate being in the Yukon. It's so cold there. One day the people made us lighten our load so that the sled could move. It was horrible. They took my clothes bag and dumped all my dresses out onto the snow! Then when the dogs were going after a few days I chose to sit on the sled. I am a woman for Pete's sake! The men tried to get me off but I refused to so that was that. Most of our dogs died and Hal let another dog go with another man. That man was John Thornton. He told us to stop because of the ice, but Hal was like "no way"so we kept going. Hope to get home soon. Miss you. Bye.
- Mercedes
4.) Imagine you are one of Buck's owners: Francois, Perault, the Scotch half-breed, Hal, Charles, or Mercedes. Write a letter home to a friend telling about your experience in the Yukon. Be sure your letter reflects the personality of the character you have chosen.
Dear friend,
I hate being in the Yukon. It's so cold there. One day the people made us lighten our load so that the sled could move. It was horrible. They took my clothes bag and dumped all my dresses out onto the snow! Then when the dogs were going after a few days I chose to sit on the sled. I am a woman for Pete's sake! The men tried to get me off but I refused to so that was that. Most of our dogs died and Hal let another dog go with another man. That man was John Thornton. He told us to stop because of the ice, but Hal was like "no way"so we kept going. Hope to get home soon. Miss you. Bye.
- Mercedes