Buck's Greed In The Call Of The Wild

Throughout The Call of the Wild the canine protagonist, Buck, encountered many situations of greed and betrayal. From the first moment Buck was thrown into the harsh arctic civilization of the Klondike, he himself was used to gain power and wealth for others. There are many themes in the novel but, man’s greed violates nature is the most prevalent. This theme shines throughout the book, revealing itself at every opportunity possible. The greed all started with the idea of wealth and money that lies in the frigid Klondike. Ultimately, London develops the theme of greed violating nature through the use of conflict to show how Buck pays the ultimate price for selfishness.
One man who betrayed Bucks trust and used him for his own personal gain …show more content…
A times they do not mean to hurt Buck, but since they were so inexperienced they did. They did not know how to prepare for the long trips, handle the dogs, and live in the harsh arctic weather. There stupidity and stubbornness is what ultimately hurt them in the end. London noted, “Themselves, they had covered twelve hundred miles with two days’ rest, and in the nature of reason and common justice they deserved an interval of loafing.” If Hal, Charles, and Mercedes had any common sense or respect at all they would have let the dogs have a nice long rest. They most likely would have traveled larger distances if the dogs weren't so tired. Mercedes herself was a detriment to the dogs. Half the time the dogs were pulling her and her “necessities.” The dogs pulled her like a princess and the strain on the dogs was suffering enough. However, they didn't care that they were inexperienced and harmful to the dogs. The only thing that mattered was the money, power, and wealthy that would possibly lie ahead. Hals greed took over when he started brutally beating Buck because he was stopping them from getting one step closer to the gold. However in the end they got what they deserved. They were all punished for the greed and inhuman treatment of Buck and his …show more content…
Even Though John Thornton loved Buck, he was obdurate to change his thirst for wealth and money. He was selfish and willing to hurt anyone to get to the ultimate goal of gold. London noted, “John Thornton and Pete and Hans, with Buck and half a dozen other dogs, faced into the East on an unknown trail to achieve where men and dogs as good as themselves had failed.” John Thornton not only put Buck in harm's way, but Pete, Hans and the rest of the team as well. Thornton had already made sixteen hundred dollars, but the chance of obtaining even more money was irresistible to him. He was like a dog with meat, once he smelled it he could not help himself but go after it. Thornton violates Bucks trust when he uses Bucks skills and talent to get what he wants. London also states, “Thornton's doubt was strong in his face, but his fighting spirit was aroused-the fighting spirit that soars above odds, fails to recognise the impossible, and is deaf to all save the clamor for battle.” This was another time when his greed took over his good judgement. Again he uses Buck as a source of profit to gain more money to make his wallet thicker. Thornton was aware of what he would lose if Buck didn't pull through, but he was more interested in what he would gain from winning. In the end, Thorntons greed backfired, and ended up harming himself. and Although Buck saw Thornton as the “ideal master” his faults shined through when his greed