Choose a main character from the novel you are reading and write about how that character changes over the course of the story.
MY ESSAY | | |------------------------
Buck of the Call of the Wild
In The Call of the Wild, the main character is a Shepherd named Buck. Buck can be very loyal and trustworthy to his master, if his master is loyal to him. Also, at times Buck could turn into an enraged beast very easily.
At Judge Miller’s Place, in the Santa Clara Valley in California, was the location of home. Buck ruled over all of the dogs that were there. Buck was Judge Miller’s inseparable companion, until a man named Manuel, who was one the gardener’s helpers, committed a treacherous act. In order to cover his Chinese lottery gambling debts, he kidnapped Buck from his sound sleep and brought him to a flag station called College Park. There, the exchanging of money took place. Buck was loaded onto an express car to Seattle. On his way to Seattle, he found that a man in a red sweater repeatedly beat him. From then on, Buck would never forget that experience. Buck was now an enraged animal and could only be tamed by repeatedly being hit with a club or a whip.
The Narwhal took Buck to the Yukon where he was trained to be a sled dog. There were other dogs that Buck had grown to know well during his training. In a matter of time, Buck became a great sled dog.
There were many conflicts with Buck and Spitz, who was the leader of the dogs. From then on, Buck’s motivation was to survive the freezing cold weather of the arctic. Buck was very ambitious to be the leader. To become the lead dog of the sled team, he would fight to the bloody death of the lead dog.
When I was reading, I noticed something in the writing of Jack London. Francois and Perrault must of came from France or something. Their English was really bad. It took me a while before I could really understand what they were saying. An example of this was when Francois was talking about how there was no other dog like Buck. “Nevaire such a dog as dat Buck!” he cried. “No nevaire! Heem worth one t’ousan’ dollair, by Gar! Eh? Wot you say, Perrault?”
When Spitz was killed, Francois and Perrault didn’t even make Buck the leader of the pack. Buck became enraged and pushed himself harder than ever to achieve the roll of being the leader. As days past, Francois and Perrault made the trip to Dawson. By the time they got there, most of the dogs were severely wounded. Some of them had broken legs and some of them were severely sick. The dog that was in best condition was Buck, although he had many wounds and bruises. When Francois and Perrault got to Dawson, Buck was traded to a family who knew absolutely nothing about managing a sled team. This part of the plot didn’t seem right. There was a rich family who could’ve taken a train to their destination instead of risking their lives in the freezing cold; meanwhile, taking a crew of dogs and having to feed them and having to stop each night can kill the dogs if not treated right.
The plot continues when the family packed too much on the sled. It was too much for the dogs to pull and it was mostly unnecessary baggage. The driver told the dogs to start. They pulled as hard as they could but the sled didn’t budge. Luckily, a local came along and told the family to throw away their tent. They started and finally got somewhere. As the sled made a sharp turn, some of the access baggage tipped over and the trip was barely completed because of the harsh weather, inadequate supplies, and poop management skills of the dog handlers. This was a beginning of a bad start of Buck and the family.
Perhaps the only sane one in the group was John Thortnon. When the family started to repeatedly beat on Buck, Thornton became enraged and threatened to kill the man. Shortly after, Thornton unhooked Buck from the sled, nonetheless the rest of the family left John Thornton. As the sled took off, it slid on a lake and then began to sink. This situation left me to think about what it would feel like to be a dog in those days. It leaves a horrible scene in my mind because seeing a whole crew of sled dogs sink in freezing cold water is very hard to imagine.
This situation left John and Buck to fend for themselves. As time passed, John and Buck became the best of friends. The rest of the book concludes all of the good times that John and Buck have together.
In this book, Jack London makes Buck look like a human being instead of a dog. It is not that realistic because Jack London makes the dog feel human emotions. An example of this is at the end of the book when Buck discovers that John Thornton is dead because of the Indians. It said in the book that Buck felt and remembered all of the times that they have spent together. I think that Jack London uses a writing style that everyone can understand.
Overall, I think that The Call of the Wild is an exhilarating and an exciting novel. It is packed with drama and adventure. Throughout the chapters, this book takes you through many stages of a dog’s life. I would recommend this book to anybody who is interested in reading about dogs and the arctic. I think that this book has to do with the love from a dog to a man than anything else in the book. Overall, I think that this is a great book and I recommend that you read it.
Note that while casual, slangy speech is fine in quotation marks, attributed to a character be that character fictional or real. It's not acceptable in narrative writing, in an essay, etc.
Buck, the main character in the novel "The Call of the Wild," undergoes significant changes throughout the story. Initially, Buck is portrayed as a loyal and trustworthy companion to his owner, Judge Miller. However, his life takes a dark turn when he is kidnapped by Manuel, a gardener's helper, and sold as a sled dog.
During his journey to the Yukon, Buck experiences extreme cruelty at the hands of a man in a red sweater, which awakens a primal and aggressive side in him. He becomes an enraged animal and can only be controlled through physical punishment. This marks a major transformation in his behavior and mentality.
As Buck becomes acquainted with his new life as a sled dog, he grows stronger and more resilient. He develops a fierce determination to survive the harsh conditions of the Arctic and challenges the leader of the dog pack, Spitz. Buck's motivation shifts from being a loyal companion to becoming the leader of the sled team.
When Spitz is killed, Buck believes he should assume the position of leader, but Francois and Perrault, the dog team's human owners, do not grant him this role. This rejection fuels Buck's anger and intensifies his resolve to become the leader. Over time, Francois and Perrault's mistreatment of the dogs takes a toll on their overall health and well-being.
Eventually, Buck is sold to a family who lacks knowledge and experience in managing a sled team. The family's poor decisions and lack of preparation lead to a disastrous journey, where Buck suffers both physically and emotionally. The only consolation for Buck during this time is his bond with John Thornton, the only member of the family who treats him with kindness and respect.
As Buck and John Thornton form a close friendship, Buck's loyalty and affection for his new owner deepen. John becomes the one person in Buck's life who truly understands and appreciates him. Their relationship brings out the best in Buck, and he thrives under John's care and guidance.
Upon John's tragic death at the hands of the Indians, Buck is devastated. He feels a deep sense of loss and remembers all the happy memories they shared together. This event serves as a turning point for Buck, as he realizes the impermanence and fragility of life.
In the end, Buck regains his true nature as a wild dog and answers the call of the wild. He joins a pack of wolves and embraces his primal instincts. Through his journey, Buck undergoes a complete transformation, evolving from a domesticated pet to a wild creature capable of surviving and thriving in the harsh wilderness.
Overall, Buck's character development in "The Call of the Wild" showcases his ability to adapt, endure, and ultimately find his true self. He goes from a loyal and trustworthy companion to a fierce and independent leader, before finally embracing his wild instincts and returning to his ancestral roots in the wilderness.
In "The Call of the Wild," the main character, Buck, undergoes a significant transformation throughout the story. At the beginning, Buck is a loyal and trustworthy Shepherd, dedicated to his master Judge Miller. However, after being kidnapped and mistreated, he becomes an enraged beast who can only be tamed through violence.
As Buck is taken to the Yukon and trained as a sled dog, he faces many conflicts with Spitz, the leader of the pack. Buck's motivation shifts to survival in the harsh arctic weather, and he becomes ambitious to become the lead dog. When Spitz is killed, Buck's desire to be the leader intensifies, but Francois and Perrault, his handlers, do not appoint him as the lead dog. This leads Buck to push himself harder and become determined to prove himself as the strongest.
When Buck is traded to a family inexperienced in managing a sled team, he faces even greater challenges. The family overloads the sled with unnecessary baggage, making the dogs struggle. However, when the family is abandoned by the rest of the crew, Buck and John Thornton, one of the family members, form a close friendship and rely on each other for survival.
Throughout his journey, Buck experiences strong emotions and displays human-like traits. He mourns the loss of his friend John Thornton when he is killed by Indians.
Overall, "The Call of the Wild" is an exciting and dramatic novel that takes readers through the stages of a dog's life in the wilderness. It explores themes of loyalty, survival, and the bond between humans and animals. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in dogs and arctic adventures.
I don't know what your assignment was/is. To write a book review, to critique London's writing style, what? In general, your writing is clear. I not that at least once you substitute "of" for "have". Look for errors like that. Remember that casual speech doesn't translate well to the written page.
And, yes, the Frenchmen probably are from France or French Canada. Writing in dialog is common in fiction. It should be clear if you "hear" the dialog in your mind.