English Summary

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Call of the Wild Chapter 7 Summary

The money Buck wins for him enables Thornton to pay off some debts and journey with his partners in search of a fabled lost gold mine that no living man has ever found. They travel east on an unknown trail. Buck leads a team of six dogs 70 miles up the Yukon. Buck is very happy as they trek through the wilderness, fishing, hunting and unthinking of time.

For two years they wander, seeking an ancient cabin and a mythical mine. They never find the mine, but in the spring of the second year they find a “shallow place in a broad valley where the gold showed like yellow butter across the bottom of the washing-pan.”

With little work to do, Buck spends his days by the fire, dreaming once more of that ancient man. In his mind he wanders in this early, undefined world. Buck rightly hears an ancient call deep in the forest. Sometimes he searches for it, sometimes he hears it, springs from his place and runs wild through the forest. One night he hears it more clearly than ever before. He goes into the forest and sees a timber wolf. Wishing to make friends, Buck approaches; but the wolf is afraid of this beast three times his size and flees. Several times this meeting is repeated, until finally the wolf understands Buck’s intentions, and they sniff noses.

For two days he does not leave, but then he hears once more the call of the forest. He starts to wander in the woods, and stays away from the camp for days at a time, hunting and fishing for his food. He exhibits a wild, wolf-like cunning. As a fearsome hunter, he kills a moose by separating it from the herd and remorselessly pursuing and attacking it. He shows great patience and ferocity. It takes him four days to pull the moose down.

When he returns to Thornton’s camp, he finds it has been overrun by Yeehat Indians. The Yeehats are gleefully dancing. Three miles out he sees a fresh trail, and he becomes more cautious. Suddenly he comes across the body of Nig, an arrow sticking from his head. He passes the dog almost dead, and then he passes the body of Hans. He sees Yeehat Indians dancing around the wreckage of the camp.

Buck leaps at the Indians, ripping open the throat of the chief, and keeps killing until the rest of the tribe runs away in terror. For a few moments, Buck pursues them, killing a few more as they attempt to flee. Buck sees Pete’s body, and then he follows the scent to the lake, where he knows John Thornton’s body lies. Skeet, loyal to the end, lies dead just by the lake. Buck sits and contemplates the ache in his heart. He feels a bit better only when he looks at the bodies of the men he has killed. He realizes that men are no match for dogs without their arrows, clubs and spears.

For years Buck runs in the wild as a wolf. The Yeehats say a Ghost Dog that runs at the head of the pack, and they are afraid of him. They know he continues on occasion to kill human hunters. They do not enter the valley where he lives.

Call of the Wild Chapter 7 Summary Word Meaning

• Abiding – Unceasing
• Asunder – Into parts or pieces
• Certitude – Complete assurance or confidence
• Cessation – A stopping
• Desolate – Providing no shelter or sustenance
• Flank – The side between ribs and hipbone
• Frenzy – State of violent, mental agitation
• Gorge – A deep ravine, usually with a river running through it
• Incarnate – Possessing or existing in bodily form
• Infinitesimal – Immeasurably small
• Intent – An anticipated outcome that guides your planned actions
• Melancholy – A constitutional tendency to be gloomy and depressed
• Obliterated – Reduced to nothingness
• Overture – Orchestral music at the beginning of an opera
• Prowess – A superior skill learned by study and practice

Call of the Wild Chapter 7 Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
What changes do the Yeehats notice the timber wolf?
Answer:
Buck dashes through the woods and finds a timber wolf, one-third of his size. Buck joins the wolf pack and the Yeehats notice a difference in the local breed. In the beginning the wolf is afraid, but later on, the two show their friendship by sniffing noses.

Question 2.
What advantage did Buck have when he killed the bear?
Answer:
Buck kills a bear and fishes for salmon the river; when the moose comes in the fall. Buck is not alone in the wild, he finds companionship, and the advantage is that he has learnt that he will not fear men. He found Hal and Thornton in trouble. Buck mourns his dead master, but feels pride at having killed the Yeehats.

Question 3.
What are the two identities of Buck as shown in Chapter 7?
Answer:
Buck has two identities as shown in chapter 7, one as a sled dog in Thornton’s camp, another as a wild hunter in the forest. He kills a bear and fishes for salmon in the river. He cuts a bull away from’ the pack to kill him and finally brings him down after fou todays. Then he heads back to the camp.

Question 4.
Show with references drawn from the text how Buck balances his love for Thornton with his more primitive self.
Answer:
Buck has a deep love for John Thornton. Buck’s instincts and connections to his primitive side draw him toward the forest. Buck does not want to let him out of his sight and the latter is rescued by the former. Thornton also looks after Buck and cares for him as if he was his own child. In the text, it is stated that Thornton had a way of taking Buck’s head roughly between his hands and resting his own head upon Buck’s. Buck felt joy in return for the love and care he received. Buck demonstrates his loyalty and love by being willing to do whatever John Thornton asks of him.

Question 5.
What is the legend of the Ghost Dog that is told among the Yeehats?
Answer:
Buck’s story morphs into legend as the Yeechats tell of a mythical Ghost Dog, who terrorizes the valley’s natives and hunters. But apart from the Indian legend the narrator tells us that there is a handsome wolf that roams, sometimes alone, sometimes at the head of the pack, singing the “Song of the younger world,” and who fathers many wolf cubs. Buck’s legacy affirms his masterful spirit. Buck seems to have cheated death by being immortalized in the legend.

Question 6.
What proves that Thornton is a successful miner?
Answer:
John Thornton’s pursuit of the lost place in the wilderness alludes to his yearning to tame the wild for profit. Finding the mine may lead to richness. But the simple way that Thornton lives proves that he is already a master of out doors and a successful miner. When Thornton and his team; i.e., Buck, Skeet, Nig, Hans and Pete, fail to find the site, they end up planning for gold in a shallow river valley.

Extract Based Questions

Question 1.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
And closely akin to the visions of the hairy man was the call still sounding in the depths of the forest. It filled him with a great unrest and strange desires. It caused him to feel a vague, sweet gladness, and he was aware of wild yearnings and stirrings for he knew not what.
(i) What happens when Buck begins to feel the call of the wild in “the Call of the Wild” by Jack London?
(ii) What is the call of the wild?
(iii) What are some symbols in the call of the wild?
(iv) Why did the pack of wolves fling forward ?
(v) Who does Buck see in his dreams?
Answer:
(i) When Buck first hears the call of the wild in the night, he springs to his feet and runs in the direction of the sound plunging into the foreit; he goes so far, however he hears the howling of the wolves; a wolf who later becomes his “brother” wolf.

(ii) The call of the wild is Buck’s primordial desire to embrace his primitive nature, which he experiences when . he enters the wilderness of Alaska. Buck, who is a domesticated dog living a carefree life, possesses special traits. Buck makes friends with a wolf and almost takes off for the wild.

(iii) A symbol is something that stands for something other than itself. One of the symbols in the story is the club. For Buck, the club is a symbol of man’s power over animals. We see the symbols of the red shirt, which stands for anger. Traces and harness symbolize Buck’s role as a servant to his masters.

(iv) The wolf pack is awed by the largeness of Buck. Like a flash, Buck struck, breaking the neck of the wolf. Three others tried it in sharp succession and one after the other they drew back. This was enough for the whole wolf pack to fling forward.

(v) The author Jack London describes that, Buck sees a short legged hairy man in his dreams. Buck has a recurring dream of his distant ancestors. These dreams become more prominent and vivid as the story progresses indicating Buck’s transformation back into a more wild creature.

Question 2.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
As the fall of the year came on, the moose appeared in greater abundance, moving slowly down to meet the winter in the lower and less rigorous valleys. Buck had already dragged down a stray part grown calf; but he wished strongly for larger and more formidable quarry.
(i) What does Buck find when he returns to the camp after killing the moose?
(ii) What do the Yeehats see in Buck?
(iii) What does Buck prove in this chapter?
(iv) What do the wolves do and see during the long winter nights?
(v) Explain the title “The Call of the Wild”.
Answer:
(i) In Jack London’s ‘The Call of the Wild’, when Buck returns from his moose hunt, he does not find his beloved master, John Thornton and everyone else, including his dog friends. They are all dead, in fact killed by the robbers. Buck had been away from the camp for quite a while. Thornton has abandoned Buck.

(ii) The Yeehats saw a great evil spirit in Buck. One man even throws a spear to hit him and ends up killing another man. They have never seen an animal like this before. Finally, they are convinced that it must be an evil spirit, because no animal could do what Buck did. They run awav to save their lives.

(iii) In chapter 7, it is proved that how, thoroughly, Buck became a creature of deep loyalty and admiration to a man fully deserving this devotion. Buck shows that human life is really just a long struggle for mastery and the greatest man will always seek out successfully. Buck’s vivid vision of the encounter with the wolf show that Buck’s wild yearnings had strengthened.

(iv) During the long winter nights the wolves go to the lower valleys for their meat. Buck may be seen running at the head of the pack through the pale moonlight; leaping above his fellows, his great throat bellowing as he sings the song of the pack.

(v) Buck changes from a civilized house dog to a wild beast. He is constantly hearing voices and seeing visions of his ancestors. By the end of the book, Buck has successfully achieved the call of the wild. Buck repeatedly feels the mysterious force telling him that what he really needs to do is leave his current domestic life and hunt things.

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Call of the Wild Chapter 6 Summary

Having frozen his feet that past December, John Thornton walks a slight limp. Staying with Thornton during the spring, Buck’s strength is also restored. Buck’s muscles swell, and flesh returns to cover his bones. He makes friends with John Thornton’s other dogs, Skeet and Nig. They await the raft that will carry them to Dawson. Skeet is motherly and nurses Buck’s wounds during his convalescence. Nig is also quite friendly. The dogs manifest no jealously towards Buck. The kindness of John Thornton arises for them as well. Buck adores him, and goes wild with happiness when Thornton touches him or speaks to him.

He does not even like to lose sight of Thornton, however, Buck retains the wildness that has been growing in him since he was first kidnapped. If a strange dog appears, he fights fiercely, and always prevails. He never shows any mercy. He also hears the call of his wild nature, and apart from Thornton, he no longer has any ties to the human world. Later that year, a man named “Black” Burton, picks a quarrel with Thornton at a bar.

Burton hits him, and is immediately attacked by Buck. He barely escapes with his life, and as a result of his defense of his master, Buck gets a reputation through all the camps in Alaska. Again when John falls into the rapids of a river, Buck aids Hans and Pete in rescuing him and breaks three ribs. That winter, Buck’s fame spreads even farther throughout Alaska, when he wins a bet that Thornton makes in a bar.

The bet is that Buck can start a sled that weighs a thousand pounds. The test takes place in the street outside the bar, and Buck succeeds in his task, breaking the sled out of the ice and pulling it for one hundred yards. This feat of Buck wins sixteen hundred dollars for his master. A man then offers to Buck for twelve hundred dollars, but Thornton is not interested in selling Buck.

Call of the Wild Chapter 6 Summary Word Meanings

• Entice – Provoke someone to do something through persuasion
• Convalescence – Gradual healing through rest after sickness or injury
• Pompous – Puffed up with vanity
• Expediency – The quality of being suited to the end in view
• Eloquent – Expressing yourself readily, clearly, effectively
• Transient – Lasting a very short time
• Beckon – Summon with a wave, nod, or some other geture
• Chasm – A deep opening in the earth’s surface
• Uncanny – Surpassing the ordinary or normal
• Hankering – A yearning for something
• Impede – Be a hindrance or obstacle to
• Jagged – Having a sharply uneven surface or outline
• Veer – Turn sharply; change direction abruptly
• Appalled – Struck with fear, dread or consternation
• Quibble – Evade the truth of a point by raising irrelevant objections.
• Jubilant – Full of high-spirited delight
• Ebb – Flow back or recede
• Lurch – Move suddenly or as if unable to control one’s movements

Call of the Wild Chapter 6 Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
What trait in Buck’s characters ensures that he will survive in the North? How is this aspect of his character shown in the story ?
Answer:
Buck has inner strength and leadership. Buck is tenacious and assertine. In his former life, these traits would be aggressive and discouraged. Buck was merely a pampered pet. Although Buck’s new world is much harsher than his old world. It also suits Buck better.Buck is beginning his inner strength and purpose. Buck was docile and submissive. These traits in Buck’s character ensure that he will survive in the North.

Question 2.
What underlines Thornton’s mastery over Buck ?
Answer:
Buck’s devotion to Thornton is so great that it is blind. While Buck lives for Thornton, he will also die for him. This steadfast obedience underlines Thornton’s mastery over Buck.

Question 3.
How did Thornton test Buck’s loyalty ?
Answer:
Thornton test’s Buck’s loyalty by commanding him to jump off its ledge. Buck starts forward, but Thornton grabs him before he can toss himself over the ledge. Buck’s unwavering obedience delights and disturbs Thornton.

Question 4.
How did Buck save his master’s reputation?
Answer:
In chapter 6, just before Buck returns to the primitive world, Jack London shows us the love, and the devotion of an animal. Buck saves Thornton’s reputation by pulling a thousand pound load and winning a ton of money for.

Question 5.
Why is Thornton known as the “ideal master”?
Answer:
Buck’s relationship with Thornton is unique because it is defined by love, making Thornton the “ideal master”. Buck does not work for, or guard Thornton, but loves him. Yet this love is so potent that it enslaves Buck, quelling his instinctual desire to go into the forest and compelling him to follow Thornton, wherever he may go.

Question 6.
How do you come to know that the relationship between Buck and Thornton is one of mutual love and respect?
Answer:
When Buck rescues Thornton, he only repays John for rescuing his life-man and dog rely on each other not only to live, but to survive in the face of nature’s unforeseen calamities and conditions. Buck and Thornton are willing to risk their lives for the other shows that their relationship is one of mutual love and respect.

Extract Based Questions

Question 1.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
For that matter, they were all loafing Buck, John Thornton, and Skeet and Nig-waiting for the raft to come that was to carry them down to Dawson. Skeet was a little Irish setter who early made friends with Buck, who, in a dying condition was unable to resent her first advances.
(i) Give the reference of the above passage.
(ii) Write briefly about Thornton’s other dogs.
(iii) How does Buck show his love to Thornton?
(iv) How does Buck act towards Pete and Hans?
(v) What did Buck hear one night.
Answer:
(i) The above extract has been taken from Chapter 6 -‘For the Love of a Man’ of the novel, “The Call of the Wild” written by Jack London. John Thornton having frozen his feet walks with difficulty. They all await the raft which will carry them to Dawson.

(ii) In Chapter 6, the dogs of John Thornton which are referred here are, Skeet and Nig. Skeet is motherly and nurses Buck’s wounds, when the eater is in trouble. Nig is also described as a friendly creature. The dogs love Buck, even John Thornton has feeling of kindness towards the dogs.

(iii) Buck’s true, in fact, genuine love is described in the chapter. To express his love towards Thornton, Buck closes his mouth around Thornton’s hand in a fake bite. Buck even adores him, and is wild with happiness when Thornton touches him or speaks to him.

(iv) Pete and Hans are John Thornton’s friends, in fact, partners. Buck tolerates both of them in a passive way. When Hans and Pete arrived on the long expected raft Buck refused to notice their arrival also. This shows he indifferent behavior towards Hans and Pele.

(v) One night Buck sprang from sleep. From the forest came the call, distinct as never before. In an open place among the trees, he saw a long, lean, timber wolf. The wolf fled at the sight of Buck.

Question 2.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
But Thornton fell on his knees besides Buck. Head was against head, and he was shaking him back and forth. Those who hurried up heard him cursing Buck, and he cursed him long and fervently, and softly and lovingly.
(i) What do you know about the Forty Mile Creek?
(ii) How would you describe Mathewson’s bet?
(iii) How will the money that Buck won help John, Pete and Hans?
(iv) What was Buck’s reaction when he reached the camp?
(v) What were the things that stood out in Buck’s vision about the other world?
Answer:
(i) Forty Mile Creek is a dangerous river in the Yukon valley referred in chapter 6 in the novel, “The Call of the Wild” written by Jack London. Buck saves Thornton’s life when he is boating in the Forty Mile Creeks. Forty Mile was a mining community that flourished a few years before the big strike in the Klondike region.

(ii) John Thornton boasts that Buck can start a thousand pound load, break it out, walk off with it for a hundred yards. This leads to a bet with Mathewson, which is of $ 1,000. John O’ Brien lends the money to Thornton to match Mathewson’s bet. Thornton whisper’s to Buck, “As you love me, Buck. As you love me” in order to encourage him to win the bet.

(iii) John pays off his debts with the money that Buck earns from the bet; and he sets off together with his dogs and his friends, Pete and Hans. This is the most lucrative contribution to John Thornton and his partners. This bet happened outside the Eldorado Saloon.

(iv) When Buck returned to the deserted camp, he scented Thornton down to the edge of a pool. All day Buck roamed restlessly above the camp. He knew John Thornton was dead. It left a great void in him, a void which ached and ached.

(v) The salient thing of the other world seemed fear. And closely akin to the visions was the call still sounding in the depths of the forest. The most impressive thing about Buck was his massive bear gut that stood out. Buck was a stately creature; he carried himself with aloof dignity. Buck sacrificed his life out of moral.

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Call of the Wild Chapter 5 Summary

After arriving at Skagway from Dawson for the second time, the dogs are in a wretched state. The journey took one month. Buck has lost twenty-five pounds in weight. Within four days, Buck and his mates are sold to Charles, a middle-aged man, and Hal, a man of about nineteen. Travelling with the men is Mercedes, who is Charles’s wife and Hal’s sister.

Buck’s new owners are incompetent, and overload the sled. The dogs are unable to move it. Hal calls them lazy and whips them, although Mercedes tries to persuade him not to. An onlooker suggests that Hal help the dogs by freeing the runners of the sled that are frozen in the snow.

When this is done, the dogs are able to pull the sled, but it is so badly loaded, it overturns. The owners reluctantly cut the load in half, and acquire six more dogs, making a total of fourteen. The newcomers, are not of much use, however, and nor does Buck have his heart in the work.

He knows he cannot depend on his new masters, because they do not know how to do anything.They are barely travelling ten miles a day, and it is inevitable they will run short on dog food. One of the dogs,Dub, is injured, and Hal shoots him. Six dogs die of starvation. As the going gets tougher, the three travellers fall to quarrelling.

Mercedes insists on riding on the sled, which adds intolerably to the load pulled by the weak and starving dogs. Hal, Charles and Mercedes are insensitive to the suffering of the animals. But the seven remaining dogs continue to pull the sled, despite their ill-treatment. One day Billie falls and cannot get up. Hal kills him with an axe and cuts him out of the traces. The team knows this fate approaches. The next day Koona goes, but the five remaining struggle on, despite their serious pains. The spring weather is beautiful, but no one can take notice of it.

The ice on the river is beginning to break up, but they manage to reach the camp of John Thornton at the mouth of White River. Thornton tells them to take no more chances on the melting ice. Hal refuses to take his advice and wants to continue. But he cannot persuade his exhausted dogs to get up, so he whips them until they begin to move. But Buck refuses. Hal takes up the club, but Buck will not move. He is too numb.

Thornton intervenes, striking Hal, and telling Hal he will kill him if he hits the dog again. Hal draws a knife, but Thornton knocks it out of his hand. Hal decides to make off without Buck. They pull out from the bank and start off down the river. After a quarter of a mile, the ice break up and the men and dogs are all drowned.

Call of the Wild Chapter 5 Summary Word Meanings:

• Totter – Move without being stable
• Congested – Overfull as with blood
• Remonstrance – The act of expressing earnest opposition
• Unwieldy – Difficult to us because of size or weight
• Aver – Declare
• Computation – The procedure of calculating
• Cajole – Influence or flattering
• Squaw – An American Indian woman
• Innocuous – Not causing disapproval
• Terse – Brief
• Inarticulate – Deprived of the use of speech
• Convulse – Stir about violently
• Evince – Give expression to
• Wretched – Characterized by physical misery

Call of the Wild Chapter 5 Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Who is the new owner of Buck? Describe the situation of Buck’s sale again briefly.
Answer:
The new owner of Buck is a team, in fact a family of amateur settlers who are “out of place” in Northland. They are Hal, Charles and Hercedes. The sled dog team arrives at Skaguay, thirty days later and the dogs are weary.

Question 2.
How do the new masters behave with of the dog team ?
Answer:
The dogs are taken to the camp, where Hal’s sister and Charles’ wife, Mercedes loads up the sled with pots, pans clothes and tents. The sled is so heavy that the dogs cannot pull it. Hal proceeds attempting to spur the dogs forward with his whip.

Question 3.
Why does Buck distrust his new owners ?
Answer:
Buck distrusts his new owners, observing that they are undisciplined, disorderly, and unable to learn. Because Hal miscalculates their rations. Hal, Charles and Mercedes constantly squabble making them “callous” to the suffering of their animals.

Question 4.
Why do Hal, Charles and Mercedes perish ?
Answer:
Hal, Charles and Mercedes ultimately perish because they disrespect nature. They refuse to relinguish their possessions, they ignore the warnings of melting ice, and Hal nearly kills Buck. Buck follows his intuition, emphasizing that his feral senses are strong. Buck’s survival process that not all masters are worthy. Thornton’s brave rescue of Buck shows that he is worthy to take up ownership of Buck.

Question 5.
Explain the statement, “The most important thing of this world seemed fear”.
Answer:
The vision of the strange man from the other world came to Buck frequently. The hairy man could spring up into the trees, and travel just as fast on the ground-never falling, never missing his grip. In fact, he seemed as much at home among the trees as on the ground. And similar to the visions of the hairy man was the call, still sounding in the depths of the forest, filling Buck with great- unrest. This is very clear by the end of the chapter, “The most important thing of this world seemed fear.”

Extract Based Questions

Question 1.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Three days passed, by which time Buck and his mates found how really tired and weak they were. Then, on the morning of the fourth day, two men from the States came along and bought them, harness and all for a song. The men addressed each other as “Hal” and “Charles”.
(i) Give the reference of the above extract?
(ii) Describe Charles.
(iii) Charles and Hal’s camp is in what condition when Buck and the sled-dogs enter it?
(iv) Who quickly made friends with Buck?
(v) What advice do the men from the neighbouring states give to Charles, Hal, and Mercedes regarding their
load on the dog sleds?
Answer:
(i) The above extract has been taken from chapter 5, ‘The Toil of Trace and Trail’ of the novel, “The Call of the Wild”, written by. Jack London. In the introductory part of the chapter, Hal and Charles purchase the sled- dog team from the Scotch half-bread.

(ii) In chapter-5, Charles is described as a middle aged, light coloured man, with weak and watery eyes and a moustache that twisted fiercely and vigorously and concealed the dropping lip.

(iii) When Buck and the sled-dogs enter the camp of Charles, and Hal’s, the author describes the camp as ship shod and slovenly, the tent is half stretched, the dishes are kept unwashed and everything is in disorder.

(iv) Skeet, a little Irish setter, quickly made friends with Buck.As a mother cat washes her kittens, so she washed and cleansed Buck’s wounds. Nig, a huge black dog was
equally friendly with Buck.

(v) When the dogs are unable to pull the sleds, the men from the neighbouring tents lend a piece of advice to Charles, Hal and Mercedes. They tell them that the load was very heavy and the dogs are tired and they need rest. They tell them that it would be better if Charles and Hal would half the load and double the dogs.

Question 2.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
This was the first time Buck had failed, in itself a sufficient reason to drive Hal into a rage. He exchanged the whip
for the customary club. Buck refused to move under the rain of heavier blows which now fell upon him.
Answer:
(i) Mercedes is Charles’ wife. She cries and implores Buck to pull harder to stop the whipping. She is too preoccupied with weeping over herself. She is never too tired of quarrelling with Charles and Hal. She is too soft and has been chivalrously treated all her life.

(ii) When the tent was loaded on the sledge, it was very heavy. Even Mercedes and Thornton felt that the load is top-heavy. The dogs were tired also, and weak. The dogs strained against the breast bands unable to move the sledges. Hal thinks the team’s inability to move the sledges were because the dogs were lazy. But in fact, the dogs were not lazy, the load was heavy and the dogs were exhausted.

(iii) ‘Black’ Burton picked up a quarrel with the newcomer, when Thornton stepped in. Burton struck out without warning. Buck rose as he attacked Burton. Burton was able to block Buck and his throat was torn open and from that day Buck become famous in Alaska and made up his reputation.

(iv) When Thornton was carried downstream, Pete and Hans attached a line to Buck’s neck and shoulders and launched him into the stream. Back pulled Thornton into the bank and had three broken ribs.

(v) Buck and half a dozen other dogs, John Thornton, Pete and Hans travelled to the East on an unknown trail. At the end of their wandering, they found a shallow mineral deposit in a broad valley. The gold showed like butter across the bottom of the washing-pan. The gold was stacked in moose-hide bags, and soon they had a heap of treasure.

Question 3.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
Thornton stood between him and Buck, and evinced no intention of getting out of the way. Hal drew his long hunting knife. Mercedes screamed, cried, laughed and manifested the chaotic abandonment of hysteria. Thornton rapped Hals knuckles with the axe-handle, knocking the knife to the ground. He rapped his knuckles again as he tried to pick it up. Then he stopped, picked it up himself, and with two strokes cut Buck’s traces.
(i) Describe the character of Mercedes?
(ii) Why were the dogs lazy?
(iii) How did Buck become famous in Alaska?
(iv) How did Buck break his ribs?
(v) What did the team find when they were searching for Thornton’s fabled mine?
Answer:
(i) In the novel ‘The Call of the Wild’ written by Jack London, Hal is described as a youngster between nineteen and twenty. He is a person who is by nature known for his callowness.

(ii) John Thornton’s partners left him to camp alone the previous December, after he froze his feet and had difficulty in walking. He was limping. But before leaving him behind, his partners ensured that he was comfortable and could manage by himself.

(iii) Buck followed Thornton around for the simple reason that he had become deeply attached to him. Buck always returns to Thornton’s fireside, as he feels secured in the presence of Thornton.

(iv) At the end of all their wandering, Thornton and his team members, did not find the lost mine. They found a shallow mineral deposit in a broad valley. The gold showed like butter across the bottom of the washing pan.

(v) Buck feels a strong connection with Thornton, his final master and is deeply devoted to him. He finds Thornton fair towards him, whereas, he felt a kind of angry revulsion towards his previous masters. This also proves that even animals feel the love and care imparted to them.

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Call of the Wild Chapter 4 Summary

The next morning, Francois discovers Spitz missing and Buck covered with wounds. As the dogs are about to be harnessed, Buck trots up to spot that Spitz occupied. Francois brings Sol-leks to the position of leader instead. Buck is furious and springs upon him. He will not let Francois harness the team. But Francois drags Buck away by the scruff of the neck. Sol-leks does not mind giving up the position, but Francois comes back with the club. Buck retreats but then refuses to take his old position. Francois realizes, that he thinks that he has earned the lead position and will be satisfied with nothing less. Buck trots to the lead position and is harnessed in.

Buck forces Pike to carry his share of the load, and he soundly punishes Joe for his bad behaviour. After receiving their orders, Francois and Perrault leave the team in the care of officials, a “Scotch half-breed,” and pass out of Buck’s life for good. The dogs are tired when they reach Dawson, but they are allowed little rest and are soon on their way out with another load. They are treated well, attended to even before the men.

Dave, one of the dogs, becomes terribly ill, but refuses to stop pulling behind the sled. The driver puts sole in his place, meaning to allow him to run easily behind the sled. Dave cannot stand to see another dog doing his work. He runs into the soft snow beside Sol-leks, trying to resume his usual place, is yelping and again attempts to resume his place. Finally, the driver decides it is kinder to allow Dave to pull, for he will die either way. During his final pull, he often falls and is caught in the traces of the sled. The next morning, Dave is too weak to rise. The team is driven ahead some ways, but they cannot ignore the gunshot that rings out. Buck and everyone else know what the shot means.

Call of the Wild Chapter 4 Summary Word Meaning

• Coveted – Greatly desired
• Obdurate – Stubbornly persistent in wrong doing
• Displace – Cause to move
• Comply – Act in accordance with someone’s rules
• Celerity – A rate that is rapid
• Deluge – A heavy rain
• Aspire – Having an ambitious plan
• Monotonous – Sounded
• Bough – Larger branches of a tree
• Potent – Authority
• Resiliency – Ability of a material to return to its original shape
• Prod – Push against gently
• Flounder – Walk with great difficulty
• Remnant – A small part remaining

Call of the Wild Chapter 4 Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
State in your own words the departure of Francois and Perrault from Buck’s life.
Answer:
Francois and Perrault’s departure from Buck’s life signals the end of one phase in Buck’s relationship with man. They have been wise and just masters to Buck. Francois weeps over Buck this shows the level of deep respect and care he has towards him.

Question 2.
What did Buck learn in Chapter 4 as stated by “Jack London”?
Answer:
Through the team’s record run, Buck demonstrates his mastery of his work. He has learnt how to work, now to and how to lead a pack. He is not only fit to lead the team, but he is more than fit to survive and thrive in the wild.

Question 3.
What happened to Dave in Chapter 4 ?
Answer:
Dave was a supporting character. He was an experienced sled dog whose work meant a lot to him and preferred to be left alone. The Scotsman removes Dave from the traces putting Sor-leks in his place. Dave was sick, but refused to leave his place at the sled. He insists on dying while pulling the sled. Finally he dies by a bullet, in order to end his suffering.

Question 4.
Why did Perrault and Francois exit from Buck’s life ?
Answer:
In Skaguay, Francois and Perrault become minor celebrities for the record timing of their run. They celebrate for a week’s time, but official order from the government forced them to depart from the town, thereby, leaving Buck and his man behind. Francois weeps over Buck as he and Perrault exit Buck’s life “for good”.

Question 5.
State in your own words, Buck’s dream of a primitive man.
Answer:
Buck’s dream of a primitive man shows that his memory is receding into a primeval past, but also that he is looking for something more in a human master, an equality and co-operation, that is impossible when he works for humans. Buck begins to have visions of a “hairy”, “short legged” cave man, clad in animal skins, squatting by the fire.

Extract Based Questions

Question 1.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
It was a record run. Each day for fourteen days Perrault and Francois threw chests up and down the main street of Skagnay and mere deluged with invitations to drink, while the team was the constant centre of a worshipful crowd of dog-busters and mushers.
(i) What did Buck see in the fire?
(ii) Why Buck did not want to go back in his old harness?
(iii) Describe the attack faced by Buck in the above chapter?
(iv) What did Buck see in his dreams ?
(v) What happened in the fight between Buck and Spitz?
Answer:
(i) Buck loved to lie near the fire. Sometimes he thought of Judge Miller’s big house. He often remembered the man in the red sweater, the death of Curly, and the fight with Spitz. He also dreamt of a short and hair like man running through the woods.

(ii) Buck did not want to go back into his old harness, because he wanted to be in front of the pack. He wanted to be the leader. In fact, he possessed leadership qualities.
He was better than most, superior attributes. He received the compliment that he was worth $ 1000.

(iii) After a long trip of 14 days, the sled-dogs including Buck, were very exhausted. Some four or five scores of starving huskies attacked the camp. The dog team found shelter from their attackers in the forest.

(iv) When Buck crouched, blinking dreamily, instead of the cook he saw a different man there. The man uttered strange sounds and seemed too afraid of the darkness into which he gazed.

(v) After the attack of starving huskies in the woods, Buck was attacked by Spitz. Spitz was winning until Buck broke Spitz’s front legs. He ended up breaking both of them. When Spitz went down, the dogs from the villages, sled team finished him. Buck won finally.

Question 2.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
It was a hard trip, with the mail behind them, and the heavy work wore them down. They were short of weight inpoor condition when they made Dawson and should have had a ten days’ or a week’s rest at least. But in two days time they dropped down the Yukon bank from the Barracks, loaded with letters for the outside. The dogs were tired, the drivers grumbling, and to matters worse, it snowed every day.
(i) What was the amount of food that was given to the sled dogs?
(ii) How does Buck perform when he succeeds Spitz as lead dog?
(iii) What condition were the dogs in when they arrived at Skagway from Dawson?
(iv) What happened to Dave in ‘the Call of the Wild’?
(v) What did Buck do in the end ?
Answer:
(i) The incompetent humans did not know that they had too many dogs. Sometimes they overfed them and at times they underfed them. Charles and Hal had no idea what they were doing. To them it made sense to have as many dogs they could get.

(ii) In chapter 4 of the novel, ‘the Call of the Wild’, written by Jack London, Buck performs exceedingly well when he succeeds former lead dog, Spitz. At first, the drivers wanted to use another lead dog, but Buck refuses to allow it and finally succeeds.

(iii) The condition of the dogs was miserable, as the dogs and their drivers arrived at Skagway after a thirty day trek from Dawson. They were exhausted and down in weight, because they had not had a proper rest as well as proper food.

(iv) Dave was very weak and fell repeatedly in the traces, when they reached Cassiar. Since he was to die anyway, he wanted to die content in the traces. He howled mournfully and took his last breath.

(v) Buck made no effort. The last whip bit into him again and again, but he neither whined nor struggled. Buck had made up his mind nor to get up. Hal exchanged the whip for the club, and then suddenly without warning, John Thornton sprang upon him.

We have decided to create the most comprehensive English Summary that will help students with learning and understanding.

Call of the Wild Chapter 3 Summary

At the beginning of Chapter 3, Buck is tough but quiet and does not start fights. One night, Buck settles down under the shelter of a rock, but when he goes to get his food, he finds the space occupied by Spitz. To everyone’s surprise, Buck becomes furious and he fights Spitz. Just then, they hear Perrault shouting and see almost 80-100 starving huskies charging into the camp.

Perrault and Francois fight them off with clubs, and some of Buck’s teammates get hurt. Buck is attacked by three huskies at once, and his head and shoulder are slashed; Spitz continues to nip at him. Some of the dogs fall through the ice but get pulled out.

Dolly, one of the dogs, goes mad one morning and begins chasing Buck. Francois kills the mad dog with an axe, and Buck is left exhausted from running. Spitz jumps at Buck. Francois punishes Spitz, but from then on, Spitz and Buck are at war. Francois and Perrault realize it, with Francois betting on Buck and Perrault on Spitz. It happens one day when a rabbit runs by the camp.

The whole team of dogs and fifty other dogs from a nearby camp start chasing the rabbit, with Buck in the lead. Spitz finds a shortcut and kills the rabbit, and Buck attacks Spitz. The other dogs wait to see who falls first. Spitz was an experienced and smart fighter, but Buck uses imagination, instinct, and his head. In the end Buck kills Spitz.

Call of the Wild Chapter 3 Summary Word Meanings

• Poise – Hold
• Prone – Having a tendency
• Shun – Avoid
• Bleak – Unpleasantly cold
• Grope – Feel about uncertainly
• Pandemonium – A state of extreme confusion and disorder
• Skulk – Lurk, hide
• Famished – Extremely hungry
• Warily – In a manner marked by keen caution
• Contemplation – A calm, lengthy, intent consideration
• Dubiously – In a doubtful manner
• Exertion – Hard work
• Sullen – Showing a brooding ill humor
• Eerise – Suggestive of the supernatural mysterious

Call of the Wild Chapter 3 Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
What is the theme of chapter 3, “The Dominant Primordial Beast”?
Answer:
Buck, after killing Spitz, has become the lead dog of the team. He excels in this position, as he is both, skilled in maneuvering the sled and an able leader. The team has a new mission which is, to deliver the mail to the gold prospectors. The unhappy part, in the chapter is the death of Dave. So it is very clear, that “The Dominant Beast” is Buck.

Question 2.
How did the huskies attack destroy Francois and Perrault’s supplies ?
Answer:
After the huskies finally left, Francois and Perrault assessed the damage. All the team dogs are badly wounded, and their food supply is gone. The huskies attack magnifies the wild beast stirring within Buck. The supplies are depleted and the dogs are ridded with bites. Francois worries about the ration of the dogs and even their security.

Question 3.
What device does Perrault use to prevent himself from falling in the ice ?
Answer:
Perrault was in a hurry, and he prided himself on his knowledge of ice, which was indispensable, for the fall of ice was very thin. Perrault broke through the ice more than a dozen times, but he was successful in nosing the way. Perrault was saved by the long pole he carried.

Question 4.
How is the first dog on the team to go mad, killed ?
Answer:
The first dog on the team i.e., Dolly, who had never been conspicuous for anything, suddenly went mad. She had completely gone crazy; she sent every dog bristling with fear, then sprang straight on Buck. Buck doubled back hoping that Francois would save him. As Buck shot passed, the axe crashed down upon mad Dolly’s head.

Question 5.
Who attacks Buck after he has had an exhausting chase from the mad dog ? Describe the attack.
Answer:
Spitz attacks Buck, when Buck staggered towards the sledge, exhausted. Spitz sprang upon Buck, and sank his teeth into him, ripping and tearing his flesh. Buck gave the worst lashing ever given to any of the team. Francois was worried that one day Spitz would kill Buck. But Perrault said that Buck is like two devils, one day he will just chew up Spitz.

Extract Based Questions

Question 1.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
Buck got a frothing adversary by the throat, and was sprayed with blood when his teeth sank through the jugular. The warm taste of it in his mouth goaded him to greater fierceness. He flung himself upon another, and at the same time felt teeth sink into his own throat.
(i) Give the reference of the above passage.
(ii) How did Buck and Pike started the revolt against Spitz’s authority?
(iii) How did the final fight between Buck and Spitz start?
(iv) What went wrong with Dolly?
(v) How did Buck convince the dog drivers to make him the leader after Spitz?
Answer:
(i) The above passage has been taken from chapter-3 ‘The Dominant Primordial Beast’ of the Novel “The Call of the Wild”, written by Jack London. In this chapter, we learn about different dogs-Buck, Pike and Spitz and above all we learn about the dominating characteristics of Buck.

(ii) When Spitz flew to punish Pike, who pretended to be ill, Buck flew with equal rage to defend Pike. Now Pike also joined Buck and Spitz hurled backwards.
In this way, Pike and Buck started the revolt against Spitz.

(iii) When Spitz leapt in front of the rabbit, whereas Buck was also chasing the rabbit, Buck attacked Spitz, but, missed it. Spitz slashed Buck at the shoulder. They snarled at each other. Buck knew the right time would lead to death.

(iv) Dolly, who had never been conspicious for anything, suddenly went mad. She sent every dog bristling with fear, then sprang straight for Buck. She had gone completely crazy.

(v) Buck trotted up to the place of Spitz as a leader. But Francois brought Sol-leks to the position. Buck replaced Sol-leks, when Francois turned his back. Buck openly revolted. Leadership was his right, and he would not be content with less. In this way Buck convinced the dog-drivers to make him the leader after Spitz was killed.

Question 2.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
She announced her condition by a long, heart breaking wolf howl that sent every dog bristling with fear, then sprang straight for Buck. He had never seen a dog go mad, nor did he have any reason to fear madness, yet he knew that near
Answer:
(i) In the above extract, which has been taken from Chapter 3 – ‘The Dominant Primordial Beast’ of the novel, “The Call of the Wild”, written by Jack London. She is Dolly, a female dog who gets mad.

(ii) When Dolly turns mad due to rabies, her action as described by the author, starts to run straight towards Buck to attack him, but Francois started running and took the axe down on 0011)/s head, thus defending Buck.’

(iii) Every time when one of the men or dogs fell through the ice, it was not very easy to force them out. The easiest way was to build a fire, so that the creature could be forced out and it also helped it to get dry by running around the fire.

(iv) Buck’s feet had become soft in ice and the poor creature had a tough time. It was very difficult for him to walk. Francois cut his mocasins into 4, so Buck could never use them.

(v) Every night- at nine, at twelve, at three, the dogs sang a song, a weird and eerie chant, which Buck was delighted to join. It was an old song, a sad one which carried the pain of many generations.