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 gang is the laws that dogs follow. The law of club and fang is to obey people and dogs. Buck's life is different by what he is used to because he had a nice house, he got larger meals but when he lives in the snow he gets small meals of raw fish and get hit with a club.
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?
They live for to be wild and also to be left alone. Maybe they lost their family or maybe he got beat. They don't like nobody. Ykwycd want to be left alone if they are mad or sad.
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 chose Sol-leaks because he is serious and want to finish something.
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?
His strength in his fur. His teeth for killing. He is really smart. He learns real quickly. This treat might be accepted in his former life because he is in the wild and he needs to survive in the cold.
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."
Being asked to be a wolf again he is becoming wild and becoming a wolf again. He is becoming more a a wolf and less then a pet. He is also becoming more wild and less becoming domesticated.
6.) In adapting to his new world, has Buck developed or retrogressed? Defend your answer.
Buck has developed because he is becoming more wild and becoming mor use to the cold now.
Vocabulary:
Primordial - "He had been suddenly jerked from the heart of civilization and flung into the heart of things primordial.” existing at or from the beginning of time; primeval.
Reproof - “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”
an expression of blame or disapproval.
Tuition - “Buck learned easily, and under the combined tuition of his two mates and Francois made remarkable progress.” a sum of money charged for teaching or instruction by a school, college, or university.
Appeasingly - “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.” in an appeasing manner
Diabolically - “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.” as a devil; in an evil manner
Disconsolate - “Miserable and disconsolate, he wandered about among the many tents, only to find that one place was as cold as another.” without consolation or comfort; unhappy
Gee - “Francois, guiding the sled at the gee-pole, sometimes exchanged places with him, but not often.” a mild expression, typically of surprise, enthusiasm, or sympathy
Activities:
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 gang is the laws that dogs follow. The law of club and fang is to obey people and dogs. Buck's life is different by what he is used to because he had a nice house, he got larger meals but when he lives in the snow he gets small meals of raw fish and get hit with a club.
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?
They live for to be wild and also to be left alone. Maybe they lost their family or maybe he got beat. They don't like nobody. Ykwycd want to be left alone if they are mad or sad.
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 chose Sol-leaks because he is serious and want to finish something.
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?
His strength in his fur. His teeth for killing. He is really smart. He learns real quickly. This treat might be accepted in his former life because he is in the wild and he needs to survive in the cold.
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."
Being asked to be a wolf again he is becoming wild and becoming a wolf again. He is becoming more a a wolf and less then a pet. He is also becoming more wild and less becoming domesticated.
6.) In adapting to his new world, has Buck developed or retrogressed? Defend your answer.
Buck has developed because he is becoming more wild and becoming mor use to the cold now.
Vocabulary:
Primordial - "He had been suddenly jerked from the heart of civilization and flung into the heart of things primordial.” existing at or from the beginning of time; primeval.
Reproof - “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”
an expression of blame or disapproval.
Tuition - “Buck learned easily, and under the combined tuition of his two mates and Francois made remarkable progress.” a sum of money charged for teaching or instruction by a school, college, or university.
Appeasingly - “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.” in an appeasing manner
Diabolically - “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.” as a devil; in an evil manner
Disconsolate - “Miserable and disconsolate, he wandered about among the many tents, only to find that one place was as cold as another.” without consolation or comfort; unhappy
Gee - “Francois, guiding the sled at the gee-pole, sometimes exchanged places with him, but not often.” a mild expression, typically of surprise, enthusiasm, or sympathy
Activities: