Wild by Jack London Buck

¶ … Wild by Jack London Buck the dog and John Thornton are very similar creatures. Even though Buck is a dog, London creates a very human character in the creation of Buck. Buck is a three-dimensional character whom the reader is able to follow on a journey and one whom the reader can empathize. Buck could be considered the most "human" character in The Call of the Wild because he acts unselfishly and is able to demonstrate his loyalty to the people whom he loves. John Thornton is like Buck in that he acts unselfishly, saving Buck from the awful man Hal and becoming a good dog master to Buck. "Other men saw to the welfare of their dogs from a sense of duty and business expediency; he saw to the welfare of his as if they were his own children" (90-91). Both of the characters -- Buck and John -- are good and loyal creatures whom take care of each other no matter what.

John relates to Buck in a way that he hasn't related other dogs or even humans. John understands Buck in a very simple way and he is happy for what can bring to his life -- happiness and vice versa. Buck loves John because John seems to need him so much, but John loves Buck because he also seems to need him so much. Buck helps John win money and saves his life and John is very adoring of Buck because of those actions. "John Thornton stood over Buck, struggling to control himself, too convulsed with rage to speak. 'If you strike that dog again, I'll kill you,' he at last managed to say in a choking voice" (86). Buck is very happy with John and though he may not need John to survive he does need John for his own happiness.

One of the most interesting similarities about John and Buck is the need to be free. Buck is constantly hearing the "call of the wild" and John also hears the call of the wild in the sense that he seems to always be getting himself in trouble over something. However, while Buck is the ideal dog, John appears to be the ideal master. The two have a lot in common in that John seems to understand a lot about the wildness of the dog world and Buck seems to understand a lot about the human world. Buck seems to be completely in sync, however, with what humans want of him. He is willing and able to work always and though Skeet and Nig are also always willing to work for John, it is only Buck who seems genuinely happy and ready to do the work. Buck is much different than the other dogs when it comes to attention as well. "Unlike Skeet, who was won't to shove her nose under Thornton's hand and nudge till petted, or Nig, who would stalk up and rest his great head on Thornton's knee, Buck was content to adore at a distance" (91-92).

Buck is able to turn from a wild beast into a tame and loving animal and it is because of John that Buck is able to do this. It can be gathered that John is a bit of a wild beast himself. Buck's connection to John is very primitive; though he feels and hears the call of the wild, he does not go because of his unfaltering love for John. John saved Buck's live and then Buck saves John's life and because of these acts these two creatures seem to be forever intertwined.