Contents

Acknowledgements

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Jack London-1

1.2 The Call of the Wild-2

1.3 Literature Review-3

1.4 Thesis Structure-4

Chapter Two Multiple Themes in The Call of the Wild-5

2.1 Returning to Nature-5

2.1.1 Buck’s Fight against the Harsh Environment-5

2.1.2 Buck’s Adaptation and Returning to Nature-6

2.2 Conflict and Integration between Wild Nature and Human Nature-6

2.2.1 Conflict between Buck’s Wild Nature and Human Nature-6

2.2.2 Integration between Buck’s Wild Nature and Human Nature-7

2.3 Life Ethics-8

2.3.1 Buck’s Instinct for Survival-8

2.3.2 Buck’s Awakening Life Awareness-8

Chapter Three Social Reality Reflected in The Call of the Wild-10

3.1 Social Background-10

3.2 Social Reality-10

3.2.1 Cruel Competition in Human Society-10

3.2.2 Survival of the Fittest-11

Chapter Four Conclusion-13

References-14

Abstract

Jack London was a famous novelist in the late 19th century and early 20th century in America. He was an excellent representative of naturalism and occupied an important position in the history of American literature. The theme of London’s art often focuses on the inevitable fight between individuals and nature, which reflects that London was deeply influenced by naturalism at that time. The Call of the Wild is a masterpiece of naturalism. The dog Buck was stolen and trafficked from south to north and became sled dogs, and finally returned to the wild. Buck, in a tough environment, not only had to stand the test of nature and suffer hunger, but also had to struggle for a living in a tough community and defeat his enemies. Finally, Buck, under self struggle and the call of the wild desire, returned to nature. The multiple themes of the novel make its connotation more profound. Readers can not only enjoy the vast wilderness and experience thrilling struggle with the fate of the hero, but also learn the philosophy of life and reflect the cruelty of the society and the complexity of human nature, and hence long for the return of humanity and nature.

Since published in 1903, The Call of the Wild has caused a strong reaction among the readers and critics and has become a popular book for a long time. There are so many relevant comments and works on this novel and scholars at home and abroad, which mainly focus on Buck’s image analysis and progress of growth, the conflict between wildness and humanity, naturalistic elements and so on. But those studies are scattered and lack comprehensive analysis. On the basic of previous studies, this paper will explore the multiple themes of the novel from three aspects—nature, human nature and life and hence expose the cruel reality in Buck’s transformation from civilized to wild and life care and humanist thought of the author.

Keywords: Jack London  The Call of the Wild  multiple themes