Book Report for IE Core2 #1

BOOK REPORT　                           11310108  Hiataka Kuzumi

London, Jack. The Call of the Wild. Harmondsworth: Puffin Books. 124 pages. 1982.

RESPONDING TO THE PLOT: (c) Was there a character especially inspiring, depressing or even frightening? Explain why.

The character who inspired me was a dog called Buck, the main character of this story. In the beginning of this story, he belonged to a rich Judge Miller and was a little spoiled dog spending carefree life in California. However, he was unjustly sold to an evil Canadian pair by Judge’s gardener and sent to Alaska in need of sled dogs. Since he was spoiled too much, he got confused and even frightened when he joined other cruel and fierce sled dogs’ team at first, but he was smart and brave enough to learn how to get along with these creatures and survive in this terrible situation. Though he faced a lot of dangerous incidents, he was able to get over those difficulties with his great ability to survive. This is the first point of this character which inspired me. These days, I myself, too, faced some confusing situations when I entered AGU. Though I have a lot of friends in my school, I couldn’t find a way to talk to strangers who is my friends now just when I entered AGU. I was a little timid compared with Buck. Now I always try to be brave like Buck.

Buck changed his masters several times. When he was under ownership of three inexperienced American pioneers called Charles, Hal and Mercedes, Buck was badly mistreated and got exhausted and seriously hurt. However, John Thornton, a sensible man, saved him and gave him a long rest. After healing up, Buck and John made an expedition to the north to discover a gold mine. During mining gold, John and his partners were all murdered by the Yeehats, a fictitious Native American tribe. When he saw his dear master dead, he soon revenged these men with madness and killed them all. This is the second point which inspired me. Though Buck had been in terrible situation, he learnt what love is and could love his master, John Thornton. You can read how deeply he loved his master. I think it is natural that he flew into a rage when he saw his master’s torn body. I want something which I can sacrifice myself for.

Setting: California and Alaska in the end of 19^th Century. It is too hard a situation for an ordinary dog.

Point of View: This story is told from the third person. The person tells this quite objectively.

Conflict: Buck was in conflict with the evil masters and other sled dogs. He was also in conflict with hard climate in Alaska. He fought with three difficulties.

Climax: The climax of this story was when Buck saw his master dead in his camp. Since he loved his master so much, the moment that his love turned into a great rage was outstanding. During his revenge against the tribe that murdered his master, we can grasp not only his rage but also deep sorrow from him.

Symbol: “Buck’s feeling” is the symbol of this story. His feelings were always clear such as anger, sorrow, uneasiness or a sense of security. They were affected by people, situations or incidents, but also they greatly affected his surroundings and were the keys to develop the story.

Irony: Buck was sold away to a Canadian pair, named Perraut and Francois and had a hard time as a sled dog. Though he spend a hard enough time under ownership of two Canadian men, contrary to his expectation, he would have a far harder time mistreated by cruel American pioneers.

Theme: “How you and your mind struggle in terrible situations” is the theme of this story. Buck and other characters faced a lot of difficulties and learnt something special by struggling in various cases. It is possible that we face strange or hard situations and we can learn how to overcome these difficulties from this novel.

REFLECTING ON THE STORY: (i) Have you changed your ideas about anything after reading this book?

     I’ve changed my perspective on trying something after reading this book. Buck had to be in a hard situation and overcome anything he faced all by himself. In order to do so, he tried a lot of things. However, he has tried some of them with interest. I think this is why he could survive various difficulties. Doing something in need of doing so is not so important because you must do so. Trying new things with interest and curiosity will lead you to the better future.

     Now I try to make new situations such as club activities or a part-time job. These situations may take a new turn in a good way or a bad way. It is possible that I will be led to great trouble, but, as I said, what is important is trying. This story became the starting point for me to be brave and try something new. I want to keep on trying, and I want to be like Buck. Thank you, Buck, the greatest dog.