Highlight details in the paragraph that reveal the story’s historical context.

Question

Because men, groping in the Arctic darkness, had found a yellow metal, and because steamship and transportation companies were booming the find, thousands of men were rushing into the Northland. These men wanted dogs, and the dogs they wanted were heavy dogs, with strong muscles by which to toil, and furry coats to protect them from the frost.

—The Call of the Wild,
Jack London

Based on what you know about the Alaska gold rush, why did miners want dogs?

Dogs could be used to sniff out gold.
Dogs made good companions in places where people could not take their families.
Dogs were used to keep wild animals such as wolves and bears away from the miners.
Dogs were used as a method of transportation over snow and ice.

Answer 1

The paragraph reveals its historical context through references to "the Arctic darkness," the discovery of "a yellow metal," and the booming "steamship and transportation companies." These details suggest a time during the Alaska gold rush, when thousands of men flocked to the North in search of gold. The mention of "heavy dogs, with strong muscles" and "furry coats" highlights the harsh, cold environment of the Northland, where durable dogs were essential for survival and transport.

Based on what you know about the Alaska gold rush, miners wanted dogs primarily for transportation over snow and ice. Dogs, specifically sled dogs, were crucial for hauling supplies and facilitating travel in the challenging Arctic conditions.