The Call of the Wild Chapter 2: The Law of Club and Fang.

On Buck's first day on the Dyea beach, he sees that he has been thrown from civilization into confusion and chaos.The "savages" who know the law of "club and fang" must always be alert.Attack is a constant threat.Curly was killed for trying to make friendly advances towards a husky dog that was half her size.The dog takes her down quickly.The rest of the dogs in the camp attack and kill Curly if she doesn't rise again.The lead dog of Buck's team laughs.Buck doesn't like him very much.He resolves that he will never go down after learning that fair play doesn't exist.

He is too wise to rebel after the first time he is harnessed to the sled.Whenever Buck makes a mistake, Dave nips at him.From his front post, Spitz growls at him.Buck learns quickly from the two dogs.Two more huskies are added to the team.They are not the same.Buck is a comrade.Dave ignores them, while Spitz tries to dominate them.Spits was forced to leave off after Joe refused to back down.Sol-leks is going to arrive soon.Like Dave, Buck is noncommittal and doesn't expect anything from anyone.Buck cut him in return for accidentally approaching him from his blind side.He learns quickly not to repeat his mistake.

Buck can't find warmth when he tries to sleep.He wanders around the camp to see how the team is doing.He found a hole in the snow and fell asleep instantly.He instinctively pushes his way out of the snow when he awakes.He has begun to draw on his ancestral knowledge without realizing it.Francois and Perrault are happy to have Buck.Buck is amazed at the change in Dave and Sol-leks.They are excited and ready to work.As soon as more dogs are added, they all lose the look of concern.The whip snaps less frequently as Buck learns.

The journey gets harder as the dogs have to break their own trail.Buck is tired every night in camp.He never feels satisfied because he is bigger than the other dogs.After being robbed for eating slowly, he lost all his fastidiousness.He stole a whole chunk of bacon from a new dog.A weaker dog is punished for not catching him.Buck is "fit to survive" in the environment.Personal feelings can no longer be respected.He does things because they are necessary.He acts on instinct.Buck develops hardened muscles and an iron stomach quickly.When he howls at the moon, he repeats the ancient song of his ancestors.The gardener's assistant didn't earn enough to support his family and his gambling habit.

The link between man and beast is getting stronger.In this chapter, the roles of humans and dogs become more or less equal.Both are heading in the same direction.A group of dogs pull a sled.He has to adapt quickly to his new surroundings.The animals are better at completing their tasks than humans are.Buck learns how to deal with punishment from the other dogs.There is no difference between a man and a dog.They work together to teach Buck.Francois whips Buck up when Dave nips him.

London suggests that some of the dogs see themselves as part of a team.The dogs were alert and active, anxious that the work should go well, and angry with whatever retarded that work was.As Buck begins to understand the satisfaction that comes from having a job and doing it well, the theme of loyalty gains importance.Buck doesn't see his ration as pay for his work.The quality of civilization where men receive incentives for their loyalty is weak.savages, men and dogs are bound together by their desire to survive.

The rules governing this society are called the "law of club and fang" by London.The rule of power is the only rule that governs, and it supersedes any loyalty.Curly died because she didn't know her place in the power structure.She can't back up her dominance.People are kept in check by leaders such as Spitz.In order to establish their place in the hierarchy, Spitz must assert his dominance over new dogs.Buck doesn't have time to sympathize with Curly's death.Buck's dislike is indicative of the eventual conflict between the two dogs.

London vividly depicts Buck's confusion, shock and disruption, but he also suggests that Buck belongs in this world.The reader gets pleasure out of Buck's ability to negotiate the harsh environment because he or she can't pity Buck.He is "fit to survive" in this place because of his theft.Herbert Spencer had a theory of survival of the fittest.Buck's fitness is determined by his survival.London seems to have believed that organisms can't learn to be fit.They are either suited for the conditions of their environment or they are not.Buck's quick changes suggest that he wasn't suited for his previous environment.The instincts of his ancestors were hidden under the surface, waiting for an opportunity to reappear.

The question and answer section is a great place to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Perrault said one in ten thousand.He wrapped his arms around Buck.