Buck's identity is divided between two very different parts: his wild
nature and his civilized nature. Between these emotions, Buck is torn. He is
restless in the civilized world of John Thornton, and yet he is unwilling to
leave because of his deep love for his master. These two parts of Buck's
character are so different, they cannot exist together. Eventually, one will
"But love that was feverish and burning, that was adoration, that was
madness, it had taken John Thornton to arouse." Buck loved Thornton; he
would pull a sled of 1,000 pounds for him, he would throw himself into a
raging, icy river to save John, he would tear open a man's throat for so much
a laying a hand on his master, and these he did do. Buck felt this fervid
emotion in his heart, and yet he was content just to watch Thornton. Buck's
past owners were temporary, and treated him as another part of business.
John cares for Buck, and Buck is afraid that John will someday disappear like
"It filled him with a great unrest and strange desires... caused him to
feel a vague sweet gladness... he was aware of wild yearnings and stirrings
for he knew not what." Through his apparent return to a more civilized
nature, Buck, in reality, remains savage, merciless, and cunning, taking joy in
the killing of his food. He is restless, but does not know why; he searches for
some material object to satisfy this internal craving, but no food or game he
kills contents him. Buck slinks through the forest, a wild hunter and a fierce
warrior. He can bring down a moose and has a strong urge to run with his
wild brother, a wolf. Buck is hearing the call, but he does not recognize it.
Buck proves that all creatures are capable of love, and that even the
most savage beast can come to know tenderness and devotion, even beyond
what most humans have felt. Still, Buck can never be at ease if he...