How does the setting serve in The Call of the Wild to develop Buck as a character?

It allows him to roam free of restraints for the first time.

It offers him the chance to interact with a greater variety of characters in Alaska.

It develops how Alaskan natives live more primitively than Californian natives.

It put him in situations where he had to turn to his animal instincts in order to survive.

1 answer

All of the above options are correct and contribute to the development of Buck as a character in The Call of the Wild.

1. The setting allows Buck to roam free of restraints for the first time: In the beginning of the novel, Buck is an obedient and domesticated pet living in the comfortable setting of a California estate. However, when he is forcibly taken to the wilds of Alaska, he is freed from the constraints of human civilization. This new setting enables Buck to rediscover his primal instincts and adapt to the harsh realities of the natural world, which ultimately contribute to his growth and development as a more feral and independent character.

2. The setting offers Buck the chance to interact with a greater variety of characters in Alaska: In Alaska, Buck encounters a diverse range of characters, such as the sled dogs, the sled drivers, and the Alaskan natives. Interacting with these different characters exposes Buck to various behaviors, lifestyles, and beliefs, broadening his understanding of the world and enabling him to develop as a more well-rounded and perceptive character.

3. The setting develops how Alaskan natives live more primitively than Californian natives: The novel depicts the Alaskan natives living a primitive, rugged, and harsh lifestyle, relying on their connection with nature for survival. By observing and, at times, participating in their way of life, Buck learns to adapt and embrace his own primitive nature. This exposure to a more primal way of living helps Buck reconnect with his ancestral roots and develop into a character more attuned to his animal instincts.

4. The setting puts Buck in situations where he has to turn to his animal instincts in order to survive: The harsh and unforgiving environment of the Alaskan wilderness confronts Buck with numerous challenges and dangers. From battling rival sled dogs to enduring extreme weather conditions, Buck is repeatedly forced to rely on his animal instincts to navigate these dangerous situations. Through these experiences, Buck undergoes a transformation and begins to tap into his inherent strength, resilience, and survival instincts, ultimately shaping him into a more primal and self-reliant character.