Call Of The Wild Conflicts Essay Example

“We had about 1200 pounds to take up the river, and it was the worst deal I struck as there were only two dog teams, and they could not manage more than 400 pounds each.  We had to pull the other stuff ourselves, and nobody who hasn't tried it can imagine what that means...”  writes R. Hunter Fitzhugh, one of the many who left their home to search for gold, after arriving at Telegraph Creek, B.C.  In his 1898 letter to his father, Hunter describes how horrid the journey to the Yukon was for him and the dogs.  These hardships dogs had to face on the trail are represented in Jack London's famous 1903 adventure fiction novel, “Call of the Wild.”  In this novel, Buck, the protagonist, went from a California house pet to a hard working sled dog after being kidnapped and sent to the Yukon.  Buck adapted to the harsh environment throughout the story, learning lots of different things everywhere he went.  Jack London skillfully conveys the internal and external conflicts Buck has to face while also highlighting the novel's powerful themes.

Buck is faced with many external conflicts in the story, which make the reader feel compassionate towards Buck.  For instance, Buck was born in the Southland, where the environment was not harsh.  Subsequently, Buck gets sold off to the Yukon, is severely beaten by a man in a red sweater who “trains" dogs, and is told, “‘You've learned your place, and I know mine.’" (9)  In other words, Buck is introduced to ‘The Law of Club and Fang,’ which is a law that allows mankind to dominate dogs.  ‘The Law of Club and Fang’ also relates to one of the themes in the story, this theme being ‘Survival of the fittest.’  More importantly, this serves as an external conflict, since Buck is being forced to obey mankind.  Another key point that contributes towards the external conflict between Buck and other characters is when Buck refuses to pull the sled for Hal, Bucks’s current owner. This holds him, Charles, and Mercedes back on their journey to the Yukon.  Bucks owners, Hal, Charles, and Mercedes are Americans and are quite the colorful trio. They are inexperienced with both dogs and the Northland environment.  Moreover, “Buck refused to move under the rain of heavier blows,” (67) when being beaten by Hal.  Basically, Jack London is suggesting that this scene serves as an external conflict between Buck and Hal since Buck is being beaten by Hal.  Evidently, these factors contribute to Buck disobeying the ‘Law of Club and Fang,’ since he is defying his master Hal.  In summary, Jack London not only introduces several external conflicts, but also manages to include the theme of ‘Survival of the Fittest’ as well. 

Jack London’s novel tells us not only about the external conflicts which Buck faces but also the internal conflicts.  To begin with, Buck is assigned to carry not only Charles, Hal, and Mercedes, but also the tremendous amount of baggage the trio brought along with them.  Furthermore, Buck’s “heart was not in the work.” (59)  To put it another way, Buck didn't want to carry the huge load to the Yukon because he didn't feel happy when he did the work. He just felt tired and dreadful.  As a result, one can determine that Jack London meant for this scene to serve as an internal conflict.  This shows the reader that Buck is fighting with himself to do the work and not give up.  Another factor Jack London inserts into the novel is an internal conflict within Buck in chapter VII.  More specifically, Buck felt “a vague, sweet gladness, and he was aware of wild yearnings and stirrings for he knew not what.” (89-90)  These stirrings that Buck is feeling, are from his ancestors.  They tell him to give in to the Call of the Wild.  This is important because Buck is confused about these emotions. He mentally debates with himself whether he should follow these callings or ignore them.  Ultimately, Jack London is implying that this part of the book is meant to serve as an internal conflict for Buck.  It is meant to increase conflict within the story. This also serves to increase the tension for the reader as well.  In brief, Jack London uses internal conflicts within Buck to increase tension within the novel and to hook readers onto his story. 

When one acknowledges the internal and external conflicts London masterfully included in his work, one can tell that Jack London also intended to emphasize some of the novel's important themes.  Jack London's novel touches on many details of Buck's life; from Buck living in the Santa Clara sunshine to him accepting the call of his future wolf pack.  When readers are placed in Buck's shoes, they realize that in order to survive the Law of Club and Fang, one must adapt to the harsh conditions, like Buck did.  Ultimately, “Call of the Wild” became a worldwide success and is still used in schools to educate children today.