The Call of the Wild Summary: Plot, Characters and Ending
The Call of the Wild follows Buck, a big, pampered dog stolen from a California estate and sold as a sled dog in the Klondike gold rush. Through hardship he discovers his wild instincts, finds love with one good man, John Thornton, and after Thornton's death joins a wolf pack.
The story is told from Buck's point of view.
| Character | Who they are |
|---|---|
| Buck | St. Bernard and Scotch shepherd mix |
| Manuel | Gardener's helper who sells Buck |
| François and Perrault | French-Canadian mail couriers |
| Spitz | Lead dog and Buck's rival |
| Hal, Charles and Mercedes | Inexperienced gold seekers |
| John Thornton | Prospector who loves and is loved by Buck |
How does Buck end up in the North?
Buck lives a comfortable life on Judge Miller's estate in the Santa Clara Valley. In the gold rush, big strong dogs are in demand, and Manuel, who owes gambling debts, sells him. A man in a red sweater beats him with a club until he learns that a man with a club must be obeyed.
↑ Back to the topHow does Buck learn to survive?
Buck is bought by François and Perrault, who carry government mail. He learns to dig a bed in the snow, steal food and pull in harness. His old instincts and dreams of a primitive past awaken. He grows into a rival of Spitz, the clever, cruel lead dog, and finally kills him in a fight and takes his place at the front of the team.
↑ Back to the topWhat happens with the new owners?
The team is sold to a mail driver and then, worn out, to three foolish newcomers: Hal, his brother-in-law Charles and his sister Mercedes. They overload the sled, run out of food and beat the starving dogs. At John Thornton's camp, Thornton warns them the river ice is melting. Buck refuses to get up, Hal beats him, and Thornton steps in and keeps Buck. The others go on and fall through the ice.
↑ Back to the topWhat is Buck's life with Thornton like?
Buck loves Thornton deeply. He saves him from drowning in rapids and wins him a large bet by pulling a sled loaded with a thousand pounds of flour. They travel east in search of a lost gold mine. In the wilderness Buck begins to roam for days, running with a wild wolf he calls his brother.
↑ Back to the topHow does The Call of the Wild end?
Returning from one of his trips, Buck finds that the Yeehats have attacked the camp and killed Thornton and his partners. In fury he kills several of the attackers. With his last tie to people gone, he joins the wolf pack and becomes its leader. The Yeehats tell stories of a Ghost Dog, and every summer Buck returns alone to the valley where Thornton died.
↑ Back to the topMore about The Call of the Wild
This summary reveals the whole plot, including the ending.