Which sentences from part 1 of The Call of the Wild would best serve as evidence of the theme "sometimes survival depends on knowing when not to fight"?

Question

Buck had accepted the rope with quiet dignity. To be sure, it was an unwonted performance: but he had learned to trust in men he knew, and to give them credit for a wisdom that outreached his own.
He had merely intimated his displeasure, in his pride believing that to intimate was to command. But to his surprise the rope tightened around his neck, shutting off his breath.
He saw, once for all, that he stood no chance against a man with a club. He had learned the lesson, and in all his after life he never forgot it.
That had given them an unfair advantage; but now that it was off, he would show them. They would never get another rope around his neck.

Answer 1

The sentences that best serve as evidence of the theme "sometimes survival depends on knowing when not to fight" are:

1. "He saw, once for all, that he stood no chance against a man with a club. He had learned the lesson, and in all his after life he never forgot it."

This sentence illustrates Buck's recognition of his helplessness in the face of superior force. It highlights the idea that survival requires understanding when to submit rather than resist.

2. "That had given them an unfair advantage; but now that it was off, he would show them. They would never get another rope around his neck."

This shows Buck’s determination to adapt and survive by using his experience rather than engaging in an immediate fight. It reflects a shift in his strategy, recognizing that it was wiser to avoid confrontation when he was at a disadvantage.

Together, these sentences encapsulate the understanding that survival often necessitates knowing when to yield instead of fighting against insurmountable odds.