Highlight the phrases that provide evidence for the theme “Only the strong survive in the wilderness.”

Question

No more was Spitz a leader greatly to be feared. . . . Buck never came near Spitz without snarling and bristling menacingly. In fact, his conduct approached that of a bully, and he was given to swaggering up and down before Spitz's very nose.

—The Call of the Wild,
Jack London

How does Buck challenge Spitz’s leadership and demonstrate the theme “Only the strong survive in the wilderness”?

He steals all of Spitz’s food.
He makes Francois think that Spitz is getting lazier.
He stands up to Spitz and encourages others to do the same.

Answer 1

The phrases that provide evidence for the theme "Only the strong survive in the wilderness" in the excerpt include:

• "No more was Spitz a leader greatly to be feared."
• "Buck never came near Spitz without snarling and bristling menacingly."
• "His conduct approached that of a bully."

These phrases highlight Buck's growing strength and assertiveness, as well as the diminishing power of Spitz, emphasizing the idea that only the strong, like Buck, can challenge and overcome leaders in the harsh realities of the wilderness.

In the context of how Buck challenges Spitz's leadership, the most relevant statement would be:

• "He stands up to Spitz and encourages others to do the same."

This action directly demonstrates the theme, as it reflects Buck's strength and determination to assert himself, ultimately leading to his success in the challenging environment.