Chapter 2: The Law of Club and Fang
Discussion Questions:
1.) What are the "laws of club and fang" that Buck learned in Chapter 2? How are these laws different from what Buck was used to?
The law of club and fang is to obey. These laws are different from what he is used to because he has larger meals in his old house and he only gets small meals of raw fish.
2.) What is the one thing that Dave and Sol-leks live for? Why do you think they are like this? How do you think they got this way? Can you think of examples of other animals or humans that show these traits? What does this tell you about animal and human nature?
The thing that Dave and Sol-leks life for is that they like to be left alone. They are like this because they don't like many things and maybe they are always mad. Some examples of humans are when my mom or dad come home and they had a bad day they don't want to talk or do anything. It tells me that humans and animals are very similar.
3.) If you were Buck, which of the other sled dogs would you choose to be your teacher and why? How is this dog like or unlike Francois as a teacher?
I would choose Billee because he is nice and helpful because he pretty much tought Buck how to sleep warm.
4.) What trait insures that Buck will survive in the north? How is this aspect of his character shown in the story? How would this trait be accepted in his former life? What does this say about the differences in the two worlds?
The trait that issues buck will survive is that he has a big fur coat, sharp teeth. The trait could be accepted in his former life by maybe he could be come smarter than the other dogs. The difference in the two worlds is that in the book they fight over food but if it was real life they would not be able to fight over food.
5.) Explain the meaning of the following quotation:
"And not only did he learn by experience, but instincts long dead became alive again. The domesticated generations fell from him. In vague ways he remembered back to the youth of the breed, to the time the world dogs ranged in packs through the primeval forest and killed their meat as they ran it down...Thus, as a token of what a puppet thing life is, the ancient song surged through him and he came into his own again."
It means that Buck is not a domesticated animal and is turning into more of a wolf.
6.) In adapting to his new world, has Buck developed or retrogressed? Defend your answer.
Buck is developing to be a bad dog because he has been stealing food from
Vocabulary:
Primordial - Existing at or from the being of time.“He had been suddenly jerked from the heart of civilization and flung into the heart of things primordial.”(pg.24)
Reproof - An expression of blame or disapproval.“Spitz was the leader, likewise experienced, and while he could not always get at Buck, he growled sharp reproof now and again, or cunningly threw his weight in the traces to jerk Buck into the way he should go.”(pg.28)
Tuition - A sum of money charged for teaching or instruction by a school, college, or university.
“Buck learned easily, and under the combined tuition of his two mates and Francois made remarkable progress.”(pg.28)
Appeasingly - In an appeasing manner
“Billee wagged his tail appeasingly, turned to run when he saw that appeasement was of no avail, and cried (still appeasingly) when Spitz's sharp teeth scored his flank.”(pg.29)
Diabolically - As a devil; In a mean way
“But no matter how Spitz circled, Joe whirled around on his heels to face him, mane bristling, ears laid back, lips writhing and snarling, jaws clipping together as fast as he could snap, and eyes diabolically gleaming—the incarnation of belligerent fear.”(pg.31
Disconsolate - Without consolation or comfort; unhappy.
“Miserable and disconsolate, he wandered about among the many tents, only to find that one place was as cold as another.”(pg.31)
Gee- A mild expression, typically of surprise, enthusiasm, or sympathy.
“Francois, guiding the sled at the gee-pole, sometimes exchanged places with him, but not often.”(pg.37)
Activities: (Choose one of the activities listed below to complete)
2.) Draw a picture of Spitz as a person. How would his "personality" translate into human behavior?
1.) What are the "laws of club and fang" that Buck learned in Chapter 2? How are these laws different from what Buck was used to?
The law of club and fang is to obey. These laws are different from what he is used to because he has larger meals in his old house and he only gets small meals of raw fish.
2.) What is the one thing that Dave and Sol-leks live for? Why do you think they are like this? How do you think they got this way? Can you think of examples of other animals or humans that show these traits? What does this tell you about animal and human nature?
The thing that Dave and Sol-leks life for is that they like to be left alone. They are like this because they don't like many things and maybe they are always mad. Some examples of humans are when my mom or dad come home and they had a bad day they don't want to talk or do anything. It tells me that humans and animals are very similar.
3.) If you were Buck, which of the other sled dogs would you choose to be your teacher and why? How is this dog like or unlike Francois as a teacher?
I would choose Billee because he is nice and helpful because he pretty much tought Buck how to sleep warm.
4.) What trait insures that Buck will survive in the north? How is this aspect of his character shown in the story? How would this trait be accepted in his former life? What does this say about the differences in the two worlds?
The trait that issues buck will survive is that he has a big fur coat, sharp teeth. The trait could be accepted in his former life by maybe he could be come smarter than the other dogs. The difference in the two worlds is that in the book they fight over food but if it was real life they would not be able to fight over food.
5.) Explain the meaning of the following quotation:
"And not only did he learn by experience, but instincts long dead became alive again. The domesticated generations fell from him. In vague ways he remembered back to the youth of the breed, to the time the world dogs ranged in packs through the primeval forest and killed their meat as they ran it down...Thus, as a token of what a puppet thing life is, the ancient song surged through him and he came into his own again."
It means that Buck is not a domesticated animal and is turning into more of a wolf.
6.) In adapting to his new world, has Buck developed or retrogressed? Defend your answer.
Buck is developing to be a bad dog because he has been stealing food from
Vocabulary:
Primordial - Existing at or from the being of time.“He had been suddenly jerked from the heart of civilization and flung into the heart of things primordial.”(pg.24)
Reproof - An expression of blame or disapproval.“Spitz was the leader, likewise experienced, and while he could not always get at Buck, he growled sharp reproof now and again, or cunningly threw his weight in the traces to jerk Buck into the way he should go.”(pg.28)
Tuition - A sum of money charged for teaching or instruction by a school, college, or university.
“Buck learned easily, and under the combined tuition of his two mates and Francois made remarkable progress.”(pg.28)
Appeasingly - In an appeasing manner
“Billee wagged his tail appeasingly, turned to run when he saw that appeasement was of no avail, and cried (still appeasingly) when Spitz's sharp teeth scored his flank.”(pg.29)
Diabolically - As a devil; In a mean way
“But no matter how Spitz circled, Joe whirled around on his heels to face him, mane bristling, ears laid back, lips writhing and snarling, jaws clipping together as fast as he could snap, and eyes diabolically gleaming—the incarnation of belligerent fear.”(pg.31
Disconsolate - Without consolation or comfort; unhappy.
“Miserable and disconsolate, he wandered about among the many tents, only to find that one place was as cold as another.”(pg.31)
Gee- A mild expression, typically of surprise, enthusiasm, or sympathy.
“Francois, guiding the sled at the gee-pole, sometimes exchanged places with him, but not often.”(pg.37)
Activities: (Choose one of the activities listed below to complete)
2.) Draw a picture of Spitz as a person. How would his "personality" translate into human behavior?