Question

[B]ehind him were the shades of all manner of dog, half-wolves and wild wolves, urgent and prompting. . . . Deep in the forest a call was sounding, . . . mysteriously thrilling and luring, he felt compelled to turn his back upon the fire . . . and to plunge into the forest, and on and on, he knew not where or why. . . . [A]s often as he gained the soft unbroken earth and the green shade, the love for John Thornton drew him back to the fire again.

—The Call of the Wild,
Jack London

Read the passage to visualize the scene. Write a paragraph describing what you visualize and conclude about Buck.

Answer 1

In the dim light of the flickering campfire, Buck stands on the edge of a shadowy forest, his powerful figure silhouetted against the dancing flames. The air is thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, and around him, the haunting whispers of half-wolves and wild wolves stir his primal instincts, echoing the call of the wild that resonates deep within his soul. He feels the pull of the forest—a dark, untamed realm where the soft padding of his feet on mossy ground beckons him forward, promising freedom and adventure. But each time he ventures away from the warmth of the fire, the warmth of his bond with John Thornton tugs at his heart, a reminder of loyalty and the love he has found in companionship. As he stands torn between two worlds, it becomes clear that Buck is a creature of duality, caught in the sway between the wild instincts that surge within him and the deep emotional ties that anchor him to humanity. His journey embodies the struggle between the allure of his ancestral roots and the profound connections that shape his identity.