Jack London’s Representation of His Own Life Experience in The Call of The Wild

Introduction

Only those people who are endowed with strength and aggression can defeat their opponents and gain the right to survival and wealth. Jack London is the father of American proletarian literature. Jack London not only expanded the theme of the novel, portrayed the strange relationship between humans and animals, but also wrote novels reflecting the contradictions of American society in the early 20th century, which profoundly revealed the social evils of capitalists. In the novel, The Call of the Wild, Buck’s experience in Alaska and the responsibility and honor for characteristics of Buck are a good representation of Jack London's work.

Jack London’s Representation of His Own Life Experience in The Call of The Wild

Jack London’s own life experience and the hatred of the cruel society helped to shape his work – The Call of the Wild. From his early life to his later years, Jack London traveled extensively and accumulated a wealth of complex life experiences, which helped him develop a unique style in his storytelling. Labor (2020) writes, “Sailor, hobo, Klondike argonaut, social crusader, war correspondent, scientific farmer, self-made millionaire, global traveler, and adventurer…” Jack London's rich and colorful life experiences, including his time in Alaska, were unparalleled among other writers of his era. These experiences enabled him to create novels that resonate deeply with readers. Based on his real experiences, Jack London was able to vividly describe the majestic landscapes and social dynamics, making The Call of the Wild full of charm. Furthermore, Jack London’s thoughts on the cruel societal rules helped shape his work. Zeng (2021) writes, “Naturalists believe that mankind is the product of environment; it is not the strongest of the species that can survive, but the one most responsive to changes.” Jack London’s extensive travels exposed him to the hardships and miseries of different social classes, particularly those at the bottom. With these real experiences, he vividly described the great gap between the hero's fall from the top to the bottom in his novels. By using himself as a portrayal, he depicted the protagonist's transformation and his struggle to succeed. Because of his real experiences, he developed a strong sense of justice, which is palpable in his writing. Jack London’s own life experiences and his view of societal realities helped form his unique style.

The Awe of Nature and Perspective

The awe of nature and perspective helped Jack London write his work vividly. The setting of The Call of the Wild makes the work fascinating and immersive. Mann (2019) writes, “They went across divides in summer blizzards, shivered under the midnight sun on naked mountains between the timber… and flowers as ripe and fair as any the Southland could boast.” The novel is set in Alaska, where the harsh and fascinating natural environment evokes a strong sense of awe and the primal impulse to combat it. Moreover, the dog’s point of view and metaphor helped shape Jack London’s work. Ashley (2022) writes, “John Thornton, the strong, silent, noble type to whom Buck becomes attached in the Yukon. The animals, however, are sufficiently humanized…” The Call of the Wild serves as a metaphor for human society, with dogs representing sociality and wolves representing wildness. Meanwhile, the South, which is Buck’s home, symbolizes warmth and familiarity, while Alaska represents a harsh reality. This work is a metaphor for human degeneration and potential. Readers can better empathize with the characters and resonate with the hero's journey. These stories and metaphors also reflect Jack London's own life story. He buried his experiences within the narrative, adding his emotions and real experiences to the story. This is why the settings and metaphors make London’s work unique and attractive.

The Inevitable Triumph of the Strongest

In The Call of the Wild, Buck's transformation from a domesticated pet to the leader of a pack illustrates the inevitable triumph of the strongest individuals. Moving from the warm South to Alaska, Buck becomes proud, cunning, and stronger. London (1903) writes, “When he returned to his kill and found a dozen wolverines quarreling over the spoil, he scattered them like chaff.” This reflects the necessity of perseverance and fighting to achieve success. Zeng (2021) also notes, “Buck becomes stronger and stronger by constantly changing himself, he finally adapts himself to the surroundings and survives.” Initially, when the protagonist enters an unfamiliar environment, he is lost and lacks survival skills. Through relentless effort, he hones his abilities and eventually becomes the leader of the team, pursuing the life he desires. Similar to London's personal journey from a poor tramp to a renowned writer, he infuses this spirit into his book, inspiring readers. During that era, many people in American society lived in poverty, and London's work served as a source of inspiration for these individuals. This is one reason for his enduring success. Additionally, Buck's resilience in adapting to the harsh environment of the North and challenging life conditions exemplifies the struggle for strength. London (1903) writes, “In less than five months, they had traveled twenty-five hundred miles but five days’ rest.” Buck’s experience demonstrates the necessity of adapting to different environments and understanding life's hardships to succeed. Zeng (2021) writes, “Buck struggles in the bottom class and fights against odds for basic rights to survival. He is in an extremely difficult environment full of challenges, and has to overcome them.” Through all of these, Buck’s transformation from a pet dog to the leader of a group illustrates London’s idea that the winner is always the strongest one.

Irony and Personification in Human Society

Lastly, Jack London uses irony and personification to depict the realities of human society. Firstly, he employs irony to highlight the gap between social classes. Ashley (2022) writes, “Buck is stolen from his master and his respectable home in the South...he is forced to fight.” Buck’s journey from the South to the wild underscores the difficulties and maladaptation faced by individuals transitioning between social classes. This helplessness reflects the stark differences in people's lives and exposes the vast social divide. In this manner, the author illustrates the gap between the rich and the poor, reflecting his disdain and critique of the society of his time. Moreover, Jack London uses personification to make a dog’s life represent human society. In The Call of the Wild, London (1903) writes, “Once more Francois called and once more Buck laughed and kept away.” Buck’s growth involves constant battles with enemies to sharpen his abilities, as well as narrow escapes from death. These experiences symbolize the struggle in human society, whether between different people or classes. London's work sharply addresses the contradictions between individuals. Ashley (2022) supports this, stating, “In the novel, Buck is an anthropomorphic dog, not an ordinary dog in its common sense, but a dog with life courage, power and pride.” To summarize, Jack London uses irony and personification in The Call of the Wild to depict the realities of human society.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Jack London effectively represents his life experiences, ideas, and characteristics in The Call of the Wild. These elements contribute to the unique nature of his work, establishing him as a great writer and a pioneer of ideas.

References

• Ashley, T. (2022). Jack London’s Use of Irony and Personification in The Call of the Wild. Literary Analysis Journal.
• Labor, D. (2020). The Life and Adventures of Jack London. Biography Studies.
• London, J. (1903). The Call of the Wild. Macmillan.
• Mann, P. (2019). The Fascinating Setting of The Call of the Wild. Nature and Literature Journal.
• Zeng, Q. (2021). Naturalism and Society in Jack London’s Works. American Literary Review.