Chapter 6: For the Love of a Man
Discussion Questions:
1.) How did Buck's relationship with John Thornton differ from his relationships with his previous masters? How does London illustrate Buck's intense feelings for Thornton? How is this in keeping with his new, more primitive self? How does Buck balance his love for Thornton with his more primitive self?
Bucks relationship with John Thornton differed from his other masters because John was more nice to him, respected Buck, and Buck loved him because he saved him and never wanted to be away from him. The way that London illustrated Buck's intense feelings for John was that every time that John was out of his sight or got up to do something Buck followed him. The way that Buck is being his primitive self is that he is starting to be like how he was in the beginning of the story. The way that Buck balanced himself with his more primitive self is that he is respecting, caring, loving, listening dog.
2.) What does London mean by the following quotation: "He was older than the days he had seen and the breaths he had drawn."
I think that London means is that when Buck was always working going from one place to another he was becoming to old, he wasn't able to relax enough, and he didn't have as much to eat or drink but now that he is with John Thornton he is younger and gets to relax more, and eat and drink a little more than how he used to.
3.) How does Buck's love for Thornton compare to Dave's love of toiling in the traces?
Buck's love for Thornton compared to Dave's love of toiling in the trace was very different because Buck is more active and respects Thornton but Dave just likes to be lazy and do nothing and doesn't really listen as much.
4.) Explain the meaning of the following quotation:
Each day mankind and the claims of mankind slipped farther from him. Deep in the forest a call was sounding, and as often as he
heard this call, mysteriously thrilling and luring, he felt compelled to turn his back upon the fire, and to plunge into the forest...But as
often as he gained the soft unbroken earth and the green share, the love of John Thornton drew him back to the fire again.
The meaning of this quotation is that in the night Buck heard sounds and he was scared but when he would turn around and see John Thornton he would feel safe and he would knows that Thornton wouldn't hurt him or abandon him.
Vocabulary:
Eloquent - persuasive in speaking; "and when, released, he sprang to his feet, his mouth laughing, his eyes eloquent.'' Pg. 80
Nudge - prod; ''Unlike Skeet, who was wont to shove her nose under Thornton's hand and nudge.'' Pg.80
Reverently - feeling or showing deep and solemn respect; ''John Thornton would reverently exclaim, "God u can all but speak!'' Pg. 80
Feigned - pretend; ''So the man understood this feigned bite for a caress.'' Pg. 80
Transient - lasting only for a short time; ''His transient masters since he had come into the Northland had bred in him a fear that no master could be permanent.'' Pg.81
Aroused - awaken; ''Thornton's doubt was strong in his face, but his fighting spirit was aroused.'' Pg. 91
Tenderfoot - newcomer; ''A man evil-tempered and malicious, had been picking a quarrel with a tenderfoot at the bar.''Pg. 84
Contagion - communication; ''He had caught the contagion of the excitement.'' Pg.91
Conjuration - incantation or spell; ''It seemed like a conjuration.'' Pg.92
Activities (choose one):
1.) List Buck's similarities with John Thornton.
2.) Research animal rescue organizations and the behaviors of abused animals. How would Buck's relationships with John Thornton fit into a behavior pattern of an abused dog?
3.) Find a video clip representing the law of the wilderness as details in the story.
4.) Describe how Thornton exploits Buck's love for him and why Buck continues to perform seemingly impossible, yet unnecessary tasks for his master.
1.) How did Buck's relationship with John Thornton differ from his relationships with his previous masters? How does London illustrate Buck's intense feelings for Thornton? How is this in keeping with his new, more primitive self? How does Buck balance his love for Thornton with his more primitive self?
Bucks relationship with John Thornton differed from his other masters because John was more nice to him, respected Buck, and Buck loved him because he saved him and never wanted to be away from him. The way that London illustrated Buck's intense feelings for John was that every time that John was out of his sight or got up to do something Buck followed him. The way that Buck is being his primitive self is that he is starting to be like how he was in the beginning of the story. The way that Buck balanced himself with his more primitive self is that he is respecting, caring, loving, listening dog.
2.) What does London mean by the following quotation: "He was older than the days he had seen and the breaths he had drawn."
I think that London means is that when Buck was always working going from one place to another he was becoming to old, he wasn't able to relax enough, and he didn't have as much to eat or drink but now that he is with John Thornton he is younger and gets to relax more, and eat and drink a little more than how he used to.
3.) How does Buck's love for Thornton compare to Dave's love of toiling in the traces?
Buck's love for Thornton compared to Dave's love of toiling in the trace was very different because Buck is more active and respects Thornton but Dave just likes to be lazy and do nothing and doesn't really listen as much.
4.) Explain the meaning of the following quotation:
Each day mankind and the claims of mankind slipped farther from him. Deep in the forest a call was sounding, and as often as he
heard this call, mysteriously thrilling and luring, he felt compelled to turn his back upon the fire, and to plunge into the forest...But as
often as he gained the soft unbroken earth and the green share, the love of John Thornton drew him back to the fire again.
The meaning of this quotation is that in the night Buck heard sounds and he was scared but when he would turn around and see John Thornton he would feel safe and he would knows that Thornton wouldn't hurt him or abandon him.
Vocabulary:
Eloquent - persuasive in speaking; "and when, released, he sprang to his feet, his mouth laughing, his eyes eloquent.'' Pg. 80
Nudge - prod; ''Unlike Skeet, who was wont to shove her nose under Thornton's hand and nudge.'' Pg.80
Reverently - feeling or showing deep and solemn respect; ''John Thornton would reverently exclaim, "God u can all but speak!'' Pg. 80
Feigned - pretend; ''So the man understood this feigned bite for a caress.'' Pg. 80
Transient - lasting only for a short time; ''His transient masters since he had come into the Northland had bred in him a fear that no master could be permanent.'' Pg.81
Aroused - awaken; ''Thornton's doubt was strong in his face, but his fighting spirit was aroused.'' Pg. 91
Tenderfoot - newcomer; ''A man evil-tempered and malicious, had been picking a quarrel with a tenderfoot at the bar.''Pg. 84
Contagion - communication; ''He had caught the contagion of the excitement.'' Pg.91
Conjuration - incantation or spell; ''It seemed like a conjuration.'' Pg.92
Activities (choose one):
1.) List Buck's similarities with John Thornton.
2.) Research animal rescue organizations and the behaviors of abused animals. How would Buck's relationships with John Thornton fit into a behavior pattern of an abused dog?
3.) Find a video clip representing the law of the wilderness as details in the story.
4.) Describe how Thornton exploits Buck's love for him and why Buck continues to perform seemingly impossible, yet unnecessary tasks for his master.