The Call of the Wild Study Guide

The Call of the Wild Study Guide

The dog Buck lives a privileged life in the family of a California judge. But when gold is discovered in the Yukon Valley and thousands of men rush north, Buck is stolen from his home and sent north to pull sleds for the Canadian mail service.

Buck finds he must learn fast or die, and the new law of life is primitive—the law of club and fang.

London reveals the lengths to which men will go to satisfy the gold lust, and he explores the animal instinct of kill or be killed as Buck rises to become leader of the pack.

Through Jack London's exciting Alaskan adventure, Call of the Wild, students will learn:

Historical Background: Gold rush 1897-8, Alaska.

Author Biography: Learn about Jack London.

Before-You-Read Activities: History research, maps, timeline, biography, art, movies.

Vocabulary words used throughout the novel, utilizing a variety of activities to stimulate retention and growth.

Literary Techniques: In context, dictionary, anthropomorphism, personification, setting, hyperbole, repetition, dialect, irony, foil, paradox, allusion, simile, metaphor, legend, dichotomy, theme, dramatic structure.

Moral Lessons and Character Values: Equal under God, do unto others, authority, determinism, moral relativism, pragmatism, success vs. doing right, pride, strong vs. weak, wise counsel, love our neighbor, conflict, mercy, power and wealth.

Activities and Writing Assignments: Animals, morality, multiple essay ideas, absurdity used to justify, class discussions, animal euthanasia, leadership, trip/activity planning, haiku, dog training.

Suggestions for Further Reading:  We include an in-depth reading list of more books by the same author(s) and other books that tie in with, or are similar to, Call of the Wild by Jack London. Movie suggestions included.

All of the unit lessons are written from a Christian worldview! 

• Age Level = 13 and up
• Book Author = Lisa Tiffin
• Book Material = Paperback
• Book Publisher = Progeny Press
• Copyright = c2008
• Grade Level = 8-up
• Condition = New