COMPARISON AND CONTRAST: Buck and White Fang “As for life, it is a battle and a journeying in a strange land,” noted Roman Emperor, General, and philosopher Marcus Aurelius in his famous book Meditations. This observation is certainly true for two renowned literary characters. The canine characters Buck from the Jack London book The Call of the Wild and White Fang from the movie White Fang, based on another Jack London book, share many similarities but also experience many important differences throughout their lives.
First, Buck and White Fang are both crossbreeds; however, the circumstances of their puppy lives are strikingly different. Buck is half St. Bernard from his father and half Scotch shepherd from his mother. Buck, who weighs 140 …show more content…
John Thornton rescues Buck from certain death at the hands of his sadistic owner Hal, and in return Buck becomes absolutely obsessed with protecting and defending Thornton. Jack Conroy rescues White Fang from being beaten to death by Beauty Smith, and White Fang just like Buck dedicates himself to absolute loyalty, protection, defense of Jack. Through these relationships, both dogs find their different destinies. When John Thornton dies, Buck is free to answer the call of the wild and fight his way into a wolf pack where he will become its leader and the legendary “Ghost Dog.” Jack Conroy releases White Fang into the wild when he plans on sailing to San Francisco. As he’s boarding the boat, Jack changes his mind at last moment and returns to his father’s cabin where he hopes White Fang will return. White Fang fulfills his destiny by reuniting with Jack as his domesticated companion.
In conclusion, Jack London’s two famous dog characters Buck and White Fang encounter many similar struggles in their troubled lives, which they both overcome to find their own differing destinies. Their struggles certainly illustrate Marcus Aurelius’ observation: “As for life, it is a battle and a journeying in a strange
First, Buck and White Fang are both crossbreeds; however, the circumstances of their puppy lives are strikingly different. Buck is half St. Bernard from his father and half Scotch shepherd from his mother. Buck, who weighs 140 …show more content…
John Thornton rescues Buck from certain death at the hands of his sadistic owner Hal, and in return Buck becomes absolutely obsessed with protecting and defending Thornton. Jack Conroy rescues White Fang from being beaten to death by Beauty Smith, and White Fang just like Buck dedicates himself to absolute loyalty, protection, defense of Jack. Through these relationships, both dogs find their different destinies. When John Thornton dies, Buck is free to answer the call of the wild and fight his way into a wolf pack where he will become its leader and the legendary “Ghost Dog.” Jack Conroy releases White Fang into the wild when he plans on sailing to San Francisco. As he’s boarding the boat, Jack changes his mind at last moment and returns to his father’s cabin where he hopes White Fang will return. White Fang fulfills his destiny by reuniting with Jack as his domesticated companion.
In conclusion, Jack London’s two famous dog characters Buck and White Fang encounter many similar struggles in their troubled lives, which they both overcome to find their own differing destinies. Their struggles certainly illustrate Marcus Aurelius’ observation: “As for life, it is a battle and a journeying in a strange