Chapter 7
Discussion Questions:
1.) London describes Buck's dreams of the primitive man: "The salient thing of this other world seemed fear." What does he mean by this? Why would that be true? Why isn't Thornton's world filled with fear?
London means that it seemed like the primitive man was afraid of everything. That would be true because the man jumps at the slightest noise. Thornton's world is not filled with fear because he knows what everything is.
2.) Why is Buck intent on befriending the wolf? What makes him break off their travels and return to camp? What does this say about Buck's place in the world?
He is intent on befriending the wolf because he feels like they are equals. He breaks off their travels because he remembers John. It says that John Thornton is the only person tying Buck to the domesticated world.
3.) What does Buck's fight with the bear and the moose display about his embrace of the call? Why do you think London included them in the story? What predictions can you make about Buck's future?
They display that he likes being wild and wants to stay wild. I think London included them in the story because they show Buck's strength and patience. I predict that Buck will become the leader of the pack and be the most fearless leader they have had.
4.) What does Buck learn from his slaughter of the Yeehats? Does this make his answering of the call harder or easier? Explain.
Buck learns that Humans are fairly easy to kill or fight off. It makes his answering easier because he now has no reason to stay with humans.
5.) Does the book have a happy or sad ending? Explain your answer. What do you think London would say?
I think the book ends on a happy note because you know that Buck is happy in the wolf pack. I think London might disagree with me because the Yeehats killed John and are afraid of Buck.
1.) London describes Buck's dreams of the primitive man: "The salient thing of this other world seemed fear." What does he mean by this? Why would that be true? Why isn't Thornton's world filled with fear?
London means that it seemed like the primitive man was afraid of everything. That would be true because the man jumps at the slightest noise. Thornton's world is not filled with fear because he knows what everything is.
2.) Why is Buck intent on befriending the wolf? What makes him break off their travels and return to camp? What does this say about Buck's place in the world?
He is intent on befriending the wolf because he feels like they are equals. He breaks off their travels because he remembers John. It says that John Thornton is the only person tying Buck to the domesticated world.
3.) What does Buck's fight with the bear and the moose display about his embrace of the call? Why do you think London included them in the story? What predictions can you make about Buck's future?
They display that he likes being wild and wants to stay wild. I think London included them in the story because they show Buck's strength and patience. I predict that Buck will become the leader of the pack and be the most fearless leader they have had.
4.) What does Buck learn from his slaughter of the Yeehats? Does this make his answering of the call harder or easier? Explain.
Buck learns that Humans are fairly easy to kill or fight off. It makes his answering easier because he now has no reason to stay with humans.
5.) Does the book have a happy or sad ending? Explain your answer. What do you think London would say?
I think the book ends on a happy note because you know that Buck is happy in the wolf pack. I think London might disagree with me because the Yeehats killed John and are afraid of Buck.
Vocabulary:
Ramshackle - in a state of severe disrepair
"and ramshackle cabin"(p. 105)
Formidable - inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable
"formidable an antagonist"(p. 117)
Sequential - forming or following in a logical order or sequence
"and responding were sequential"(p. 116)
Simultaneous - done at the same time
"they appeared simultaneous"(p. 116)
Calamity - a state of deep distress or misery caused by major misfortune or loss
"a sense of calamity"(p. 120)
Discomfited - to put into a state of perplexity and embarrassment
"the wolves drew back discomfited"(p. 126)
Muses - to become absorbed in thought
"and here he muses for a time"(p. 128)
Ramshackle - in a state of severe disrepair
"and ramshackle cabin"(p. 105)
Formidable - inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable
"formidable an antagonist"(p. 117)
Sequential - forming or following in a logical order or sequence
"and responding were sequential"(p. 116)
Simultaneous - done at the same time
"they appeared simultaneous"(p. 116)
Calamity - a state of deep distress or misery caused by major misfortune or loss
"a sense of calamity"(p. 120)
Discomfited - to put into a state of perplexity and embarrassment
"the wolves drew back discomfited"(p. 126)
Muses - to become absorbed in thought
"and here he muses for a time"(p. 128)
Activities:
2.) Write a description of the calling you hear in your own life. When do you hear it? How does it speak to you? What senses (sounds, smells, tastes, feelings, sights) do you connect to your call? How is that call different from the life you are living right now?
The calling I hear in my life is to be a veterinarian and help animals. I hear my calling when I see hurt or injured animals or hear about that kind of thing. It speaks to me by making me feel the need to help and protect animals. The senses I connect to my call are sight, sound, smell, and feeling. My call is diiferent from my life because I am not a veterinarian currently.
2.) Write a description of the calling you hear in your own life. When do you hear it? How does it speak to you? What senses (sounds, smells, tastes, feelings, sights) do you connect to your call? How is that call different from the life you are living right now?
The calling I hear in my life is to be a veterinarian and help animals. I hear my calling when I see hurt or injured animals or hear about that kind of thing. It speaks to me by making me feel the need to help and protect animals. The senses I connect to my call are sight, sound, smell, and feeling. My call is diiferent from my life because I am not a veterinarian currently.