The Call of the Wild - Study Guide

How did Buck come to be in Alaska?

• He was born there.

• He was kidnapped and sold as a sled dog.

• He ran away from home.

• He was taken by his owner on a vacation.

What did Buck do once he was in the North?

• He became a sled dog.

• He returned to the South.

• He found a new owner.

• He ran away to the wild.

The protagonist and PRIMARY antagonist of this novel are (there may be more than one correct answer:

• Protagonist: John, Antagonist: Buck

• Protagonist: Buck, Antagonist: Spitz

• Protagonist: Buck, Antagonist: Man

• Protagonist: Buck, Antagonist: Hal

What is the law most of the dogs live by?

• The law of the pack

• The law of club and fang

• The law of the land

• The law of the wild

What is the climax of this novel, and what happens afterward (falling action)?

• The climax is when Buck is stolen by Manuel, and the falling action is everything that happens afterward.

• The climax is when Buck kills the moose, and the falling action is John Thornton dying

• The climax is when John Thornton dies, and the falling action is Buck being free to answer the call of the wild.

• The climax is when Hal is beating Buck to death, and the falling action is when John Thornton saves him.

What would you describe as the PRIMARY theme throughout this novel?

• Love and friendship

• War and peace

• Betrayal and revenge

• Survival of the fittest

How does Buck change or transform throughout the novel?

• Buck becomes more domesticated and reliant on humans.

• Buck becomes more wild and independent, embracing his primal instincts.

• Buck remains unchanged throughout the novel.

• Buck becomes fearful and timid.

Original owner of the dog

• Manuel

• Jude Miller

• Man in the Red Sweater

• Francois

1. The sister of Hal and wife of Charles 

• Dolly

• Mercedes

• Francois

• Billee

The gardener's friend and man that stole the dog

• Perrault

• Hal

• Dave

• Manuel