Which of the following conflicts in The Call of the Wild is most important to the development of Buck as a character?
(1 point)
• Buck vs. Hal
• Buck vs. Spitz
• Hal vs. John
• Charles vs. Hal
Buck vs. Spitz
The conflict that is most important to the development of Buck as a character in The Call of the Wild is Buck vs. Spitz.
To determine which conflict in The Call of the Wild is most important to the development of Buck as a character, we need to analyze the impact of each conflict on Buck's growth and transformation throughout the story.
1. Buck vs. Hal: This conflict occurs when Buck is owned by Hal, a greedy and inexperienced gold prospector. Although this conflict is significant in portraying the mistreatment and abuse of animals by humans, it does not directly contribute to Buck's personal development as much as the other conflicts.
2. Buck vs. Spitz: This conflict is a central and vital element of the story. Spitz is the lead sled dog in the team and becomes Buck's primary rival. Their clashes represent Buck's initiation into the harsh realities of survival in the wilderness and his gradual transformation into a more dominant and primal character.
3. Hal vs. John: This conflict arises between Hal, who represents reckless and ignorant behavior, and John Thornton, a compassionate and experienced outdoorsman. While this conflict affects Buck indirectly, as he witnesses the opposing attitudes towards the wilderness and the treatment of animals, it does not have as significant an impact on his personal development.
4. Charles vs. Hal: This conflict involves Charles, another sled dog, challenging Hal's incompetence and cruelty. Although this conflict plays a part in demonstrating the destructive consequences of ignorance and poor leadership, it does not directly affect Buck's character development as significantly as the Buck vs. Spitz conflict.
In light of the above analysis, the conflict of Buck vs. Spitz is the most important to the development of Buck as a character. It not only triggers his transformation from a domesticated dog to a wild creature, but also highlights his survival instincts, leadership capabilities, and journey towards reclaiming his true nature in the wilderness.