A Study of Jack London’s Belief in Darwinism
             Jack London has a strong belief in Darwinism, survival of the fittest, during the
             late 1800’s through the early 1900’s, when he wrote. Throughout his writings, many
             characters display London’s belief in Darwinism. In the novel, The Call of the Wild,
             Jack London’s belief in social darwinism is portrayed by animals interacting with
             humans, each other, and the environment. This can be shown through Buck, a house dog
             turned sled dog, interacting with his masters, other dogs, and the Yukon wilderness.
             As Buck travels from master to master throughout the course of the novel he
             learns, through trial and error, what behavior brings rewards, and that which brings
             [Buck] had never been struck by a club in his life, and did
             not understand. ...he was [now] aware that it was a club,
             but his madness knew no caution. A dozen times he
             charged, and as often the club broke the charge and smashed
             Buck “...had learned the lesson, and in all his after life he never forgot it. That club was
             a revelation. ...the lesson was driven home to Buck: a man with a club was a lawgiver, a
             master to be obeyed...” (London 20). Buck learned to do as his masters say. “...he grew
             honestly to respect them. He speedily learned that Perrault and Francois were fair
             men...” (London 21). Buck also learned when and how to defend himself against man.
             London’s depiction of Buck’s struggle to learn how to survive in an unfamiliar
             environment has been compared to western society’s struggle with encroaching
             communism. “The study of Jack London’s work became a mirror of the turbulent
             McCarthy era...” (Veggian 2). Through these struggles, Buck was able to adapt and
             survive in a world controlled by man.
             Buck also had to learn when and how to fight other dogs.
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