Jul 31, 2009 03:38 AM
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(Updated Jul 31, 2009 08:46 AM)
Dogs are among the most helpful of creatures to man, being both protector, hunter and companion. It is worthwhile to note that in some forms(i. e. wolves, coyotes, dingos, jackals) dogs and men have clashed in almost every culture throughout history, at one point or another.
In his typical way of writing, Jack London took the normal view of his fellow citizens and turned it around, displaying well the more realistic side of life, verses inventing a pure fiction yet the storytelling does not lax. This book is considered by most to be London's best work; the plot mirrors the theme of his previous book White Fang, in which a wild wolf befriends and is somewhat domesticated by a young prospector.
Told is the tale of Buck a huge, gentled family canine whose story seems to suffer from Reverse-Cinderella-Syndrome. Owned by a Judge and living in sunny Northern California, the dog leads a very good existence. The gardener's helper, Manuel, conspires with a friend of his to steal the beloved pooch, with the aim of selling it to dog-trainers. If this seems a slightly over-risky endeavor, allow me to elaborate a bit on the demand for dog as at the time.
During the Yukon Gold Rush, sled dogs(of the large, furry variety especially) were the difference between success/survival, or failure/death. If wolves attacked, the sled-dogs would helped defend'the camp'; they pulled hundreds of pounds of necessary gear to the place where one wished to go, and so much faster than walking. They provided companionship and helped stave off cabin fever, as well as aiding in hunting game. In light of this, it is not so incredible that one of the shadier servants of the fine, upper-crust family-of whom Buck was a cherished member-would find it worth the tremendous risk of drugging, kidnapping, hauling away and selling the family pet to sled-dog dealers.
Through a series of'training' bouts, mostly using short clubs, Buck becomes accustomed to meager meals and beatings, learning how to pull a heavy sled in snow. The emphasis of the prose is that long dormant natural instinct awaken in Buck, and he learns to steal food, fight and pull harder than the other dogs to become the Team Leader. After a series of cruel, even neglectful owners, he is finally bought by the kindly & intelligent John Thornton. Buck responds well to the vaguely familiar treatment and loyally stays with Thornton through his adventures. Yet, the wild calls to Buck and here and there he goes off wandering while his master pans for gold at the new prospect. He meets a pack of wolves, of which he is'accepted', being the largest canine in stature. He encounters a moose on one of these scenic hikes and corners it, killing it after a four-day standoff. Going back to Thornton, Buck finds that "Yeehat" Native Americans have killed the kind owner and his team, and set fire to the camp. Buck, enraged, falls upon the celebrating native with fury unmatched, and screams and panic abound in the blazing light of the flames. Buck slaughters several of his enemies, feeling a surge of primordial instinct overtake the rest of his once-domestic nature. Frightened, the natives flee, after their arrows seems to have no affect. This event gives Buck a bit of legendary status among the local tribes and they call him The Ghost Dog. Buck joins up with the pack he met earlier and lives out his days as the Alpha male, in am almost dream-like realm of The Wild.
A dark, good read with plenty to think about.
