Buck, the protagonist of Jack London’s gripping novel “The Call of the Wild,” is a large and powerful dog who has spent his life in blissful domesticity. He is used to being loved and cared for by his wealthy owners in California. However, when tragedy strikes and Buck is sold to become a sled dog in the harsh and unforgiving Yukon Territory, his life takes a brutal turn.
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His first beating is a cruel and shocking event that irrevocably alters Buck’s psyche. The vicious beating instils in his a newfound fear and submission, shattering his former innocence and trust. It unleashes a wild instinct that had long lain dormant within him.
The Event:
Buck’s first beating occurs after he dares to challenge the cruel and sadistic sled driver, Spitz. In a bid to establish his dominance, Spitz mercilessly attacks Buck and pins him to the ground. While Buck tries to defend himself, the other dogs join in, under the order of Spitz, the brutal veteran of the sled who rules the team with an iron paw.
The beating is relentless and gruesome, and it serves as a harsh lesson in the bitter reality of life in the wild. Buck, who has always known kindness, is mercilessly beaten into submission and forced to accept his place at the bottom of the pack’s hierarchy.
Buck’s Transformation:
Buck’s first beating has a profound impact on his psyche, turning him from a domesticated dog into a fierce and cunning survivor. The fear and pain he experiences force him to shed his civilized nature and embrace his primal instincts.
Subsequent beatings only serve to harden Buck, making him more resilient and less trusting. He learns to become sly and resourceful, finding ways to avoid conflict while demonstrating loyalty to his companions.
Embrace of the Wild:
Gradually, as Buck’s beatings continue, his attachment to humans lessens. He begins to identify more with the feral dogs of his team and the harsh world they inhabit. The beatings he endured awaken a dormant wild instinct within him and draw him deeper into the world he has been unwillingly thrust.
He adopts the survival tactics of his canine companions, including howling at the moon and hunting for prey.
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What Happens The First Time Buck Is Beaten
Conclusion:
Buck’s first beating is a pivotal moment in his harrowing journey through the unforgiving wilderness. It triggers a profound transformation, etching itself into his psyche like a searing brand. The experience toughens Buck beyond recognition, casting him into the dark depths of a reality where only the strongest survive.
This event influences the entirety of Buck’s perilous journey in Jack London’s masterpiece, “The Call of The Wild.” Through every trial and tribulation that follows, Buck carries with him the scar of his first beating, a reminder of the harsh and brutal nature of the untamed world.
