The Call of the Wild · Chapter
Epigraph explained
The epigraph sets the tone for the novel, introducing themes of primal instinct and the struggle against civilized constraints through a poetic evocation of wild longing.
What happens
The epigraph sets the tone for the novel, introducing themes of primal instinct and the struggle against civilized constraints through a poetic evocation of wild longing.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
In this excerpt, the narrative reaches its dramatic climax because Buck’s feat of earning sixteen hundred doll…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- The Call of the Wild
The poem directly introduces the 'old longings nomadic' and 'ferine strain' that drive the narrative of Buck's return to primal instincts.
- Primitive vs. Civilized
The imagery of 'chafing at custom's chain' contrasts the constraints of civilization with the awakening of wild, primitive urges.
Key passages
“Old longings nomadic leap, Chafing at custom's chain; Again from its brumal sleep Wakens the ferine strain.”
Ancient, wandering desires break free from the bonds of society, and the wild, beastly nature stirs once more from its winter slumber.
This epigraph encapsulates the central conflict and transformation that Buck will undergo throughout the story.
