论文题目：Analysis of the Characteristics of Buck in The Call of the Wild
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CONTENTS
ABSTRACT ………………………………………………………………………......1 1 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………… ..2 2 Literature Review …………………………………………………………………..2 3 Nature of Buck in Different Environments………………………………………....3 3.1.1Live in the Lap of Luxury…………………………………………………….....3 3.1.2Working as a Sled Dog……………………………………………………….....4 3.1.3Staying with Thornton………………………………………………………......4 4 Golden Spirit and Aspiration in Buck……………………………………………... 5 4.1.1Fighting Spirit……………………… …………………………………………. 5 4.1.2Down-to-earth Spirit………………………………………………………........ 5
4.1.3 Longing for New Life………………………………………………................. 6 5 Embodiment of Human Nature in Buck ………………………………………….. 6 5.1.1The Nature of Buck as a Fierce Animal………………………………………....6 5.1.2 Love and Loyalty to Thornton………………………………………………… 7 5.1.3 The Philosophy of Mencius …………………………………………………. 7 6 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………........ 8 References…………………………………………………………………………… 8
Analysis of the Characteristics of Buck in The Call of the Wild
Abstract:The Call of the Wild is the masterpiece of Jack London who is one of the most renowned American writers. It was published in 1903. The complex character of the protagonist dog Buck is the main factor to cause the novel perpetual.At the beginning this thesis introduces Darwin’s Law of Nature—survival of the fittest. Then it describes Buck’s aspiration for new life.Gentle dog Buck went to the wasteland which was far away from human civilization but he adapted to the challenging environment very soon. In response to the call of the wild, Buck got back to the forest full of mystery and venture without the slightest hesitation after Tom Thornton’s death.So it is significant to explore the complicated characteristics of Buck from the perspectives of fighting Spirit,pursuit of love and longing for new life. Keywords:The Call of the Wild,freedom,return
1 Introduction The Call of the Wild is one of the masterpieces of the great American writer Jack London. It apparently is a dog’s story. This is a story that takes place in the original wilderness of the backland snow and icebound, describing a dog who named Buck to be drawn in the wave of gold rush in Alaska. He experiences various sufferings struck with soul and are caused to remember his ancestry by instinct in the howl. Finally, the original innate wild of the wolf has revived in his deep soul and has made his social return to the nature from the civilization.
2 Literature Review Scholars from both domestic and abroad have been studying The Call of the Wild in terms of its plot,writing style and metaphor for years, and they’ve reached significant conclusions and come up with a couple of ideas.
For one side,Jacqueline Tavernity-Courbin,Zhang Na,Zhang yong and Zhou Li have direct illustrated the relationship among nature,animals and humanity through the analysis of plots and characters while Yang Le,Chen Guangming,Zhu Jianfei and
Chen Qianhong has explored complicated characteristics of Buck on a deeper degree connecting the formation of characteristics of Buck to his life. On the another side,Through Donald Pier,Irving Stone and Wang Yaohui,it is more evident for us to understand Jack London,Buck and The Philosophy of Mencius. However, what i focus on is the reasons for formation of the complicated characteristics of Buck.Since arts originate from life,the prototype of Buck can be found in real life.It is of importance to stick to right world view,values and morals for us in today’s economic environment of rapid development. 3 Nature of Buck in Different Environments The nature of Buck changed with the environment where he lived. That goes the same to our human beings in today’s society.
3.1.1 Live in the Lap of Luxury Buck, the child of a huge ST. Bernard and a Scotch shepherd dog was born in Judge Miller’s big house and enjoyed a happy life. He played with the Judge’s children and protected them when they were out. He was so huge a dog that in his eyes his companions could not even count. It seemed that he ruled the whole house. He took pride in himself as if he were the significant one in the family.
It was right Buck. He was an apple of the Judge’s eye, proud, intelligent, white-headed and with a tamed nature.
3.1.2 Working as a Sled Dog Money exchange, again. Buck was transited to the cold Northland and was set to work as horses. His dignity was sorely hurt but he understood that it was no use rebelling. He should obey. If he revolted he would be whipped. The overwhelming force made him quickly learn how to drag the sled to please his masters. In the cold wasteland, Buck had to learn a series of methods to keep his life. Digging holes at the shivering windy night made him have a sound sleep. At the same time, he realized that if he was particular about the food, he would suffer from hunger or starvation. To
struggle for existence, Buck learnt how to steal food from others secretly to meet his own needs. He knew that if he robbed openly, he would be beaten by the clubs. His moral nature was disappearing, however, he had no choice.
3.1.3Staying with Thornton Fortunately, Buck was saved by Thornton. It seemed that Buck went back to a civilized society. He was taken good care of and a special love in his body was awaken.His companions were not jealous of him. They shared the benevolence and tolerance of Thornton which was different from that of Judge Miller. He had come through so many masters from Perrault to the Scotch half-breed. But Thornton was a perfect master in Buck’s mind.When he enjoyed the well-being life, he was afraid that his Thornton would leave him one day. Therefore, he always kept Thornton at his elbow. He showed his love and loyalty to Thornton incisively and vividly. However, life is always full of variables. Buck, as a common creature can not foresee the future world. If he can he will safeguard his lover wherever he goes. The life with Thornton was wonderful and he cherished it carefully until he was called by a mysterious calling.
4 Golden Spirit and Aspiration in Buck Buck, the child of a huge ST. Bernard and a Scotch shepherd dog was born in Judge Miller’s big house and enjoyed a happy life. He played with the Judge’s children and protected them when they were out. He was so huge a dog that in his eyes his companions could not even count. It seemed that he ruled the whole house. He took pride in himself as if he were the significant one in the family.
It was right Buck. He was an apple of the Judge’s eye, proud, intelligent, white-headed and with a tamed nature.
4.1.1Fighting Spirit Buck possessed a spirit as precious as gold. His love for fighting was to struggle to survive. As we know, in the world full of competition only the strongest can survive. Survival of the fittest is a universal truth. 4.1 .2Down-to-earth Spirit There is another valuable spirit in Buck which makes him. Without such
down-to-earth spirit, he may be beaten to death. It reveals that in the modern society we should work hard to gain a foothold. If not you will be a poor fish who lives on Social Assistance.
4.1.3Longing for New Life Every time when Buck comes up against some setbacks, he always has a thirst for the better condition. He is positive and energetic. 5 Embodiment of Human Nature in Buck Buck was a ferocious dog with complicated nature. The love and loyalty in him deserves our study most. Before Buck was obliged to the primitive he lived a care-free life and he managed to protect his hosts. After he went through the waste environment without civilization he came across John Thornton and thus the goodness in him was aroused. I hold that the nature of Buck is good. And Mencius considers that all humans are born good.
5.1.1The Nature of Buck as a Fierce Animal
As a Fierce Animal, Buck is duplicity and cunning. 5.1.2 Love and Loyalty to Thornton When Buck was saved by Thornton, the nature of goodness roused from his body. He showed deep love to Thornton as well as loyalty.
5.1.3 The Philosophy of Mencius
Mencius, Ke by name, was a great thinker and educator as well as a represent of the Confucian school in the Warring States Period. The philosophy of Mencius reveals human nature. He thought human nature had four states. They are compassion, sense of shame, respect and humility and moral sense(Wang Yaohui 2003 : 17). He insisted that human were born good. Buck was such a creature in The Call of the Wild. He was born good but had to learn to give up the good nature to survive in the waste land without civilization. When he returned to the warm world he got rid of the bad habits again and he enjoyed the happiness of the nature. Buck was good in his nature.
6 Conclusion In this novel, Jack London tells not only a cruel story of a dog, but also of human beings. In this novel people can easily find human beings’ surviving experiences in
the society from Buck’s. In a fever of pain and rage, Buck meets the man in the red sweater, who provides the first step of his initiation into the wild. People can see something from the emotional aspect of Buck. Another important feeling in Buck is his response to his nature—the call of the wild. The call sounds in the depths of the forest.From what have discussed above,i can safely conclude that it is a glorious scene if we can forgive the people who has made mistakes before and provide them chances to find the initial purity. Humans were born good.
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