The Call of the Wild by Jack London
"He was preeminently cunning, and could bide his time with a patience that was nothing less than primitive."
Can someone give me an explanation? I don't understand the quote.
Who is "he"?
cunning = good at deceiving others, sly
www.answers.com/cunning
preeminently = the very best
bide his time = wait patiently
nothing less than primitive = like an ancient or early animal or human who hunted for his/her food
www.answers.com/primitive
Buck
So ... given the definitions I gave you above, how would you rewrite that quotation describing Buck in your own words?
Buck is good at deluding others and he waits patiently to become wilder.
The quote you provided is from the novel "The Call of the Wild" by Jack London. In this passage, the author is describing a character's exceptional cunning and ability to wait patiently. To better understand the quote, let's break it down:
1. "He was preeminently cunning": This means that the character being referred to possessed a high level of intelligence, skills, and shrewdness. The word "preeminently" suggests that the character's cunningness was exceptional, surpassing others around him.
2. "Could bide his time": This phrase indicates that the character had the ability to wait patiently without rushing into action. By "biding his time," the character would carefully observe and plan, making sure the moment was right before taking action.
3. "With a patience that was nothing less than primitive": This part emphasizes that the character's patience was not just ordinary but had a primitive quality to it. The term "primitive" suggests a primal or instinctive nature, implying that the character's patience was deeply rooted and innate.
Overall, the quote describes a character in the novel who possessed a remarkable level of intelligence and cunningness, combined with a patience that was deeply ingrained within their instincts.