Buck

John Thornton

Buck forms a deep, loving bond of loyalty and devotion with John Thornton, his final and most beloved master.

Spitz

Buck and Spitz are fierce rivals competing for dominance as lead dog of the sled team, culminating in a deadly fight.

Manuel

Manuel, the gardener's helper, betrays Buck by kidnapping and selling him for money, making Buck a victim of his greed.

Perrault

Perrault is a capable and demanding musher who values Buck's strength and intelligence for the sled team's work.

Hal

Hal is an abusive, incompetent owner who mistreats Buck and the other dogs, creating a hostile and antagonistic relationship.

The Judge

Buck lives as a pampered pet on Judge Miller's estate, enjoying a comfortable but distant master-pet relationship.

The Yeehats

The Yeehats are a Native American tribe who kill John Thornton, driving Buck to seek vengeance and become a wild wolf.

Dave

Dave is a stoic, hardworking sled dog who shares a professional respect with Buck as fellow team members.

Mercedes

Mercedes is a pampered, impractical woman who treats Buck as a burden and contributes to the team's suffering.

Pike

Pike is a sly, lazy sled dog who occasionally clashes with Buck but remains a teammate in the harness.

Skeet

Skeet is a friendly Irish setter who becomes Buck's gentle companion at John Thornton's camp.

Nig

Nig is a good-natured bloodhound who befriends Buck and shares a peaceful bond at Thornton's camp.

The Call of the Wild

Protagonist; undergoes transformation from domesticated pet to wild wolf.

Into the Primitive

The protagonist, a 140-pound dog living a pampered life as king of Judge Miller's estate, who is kidnapped and sold into the brutal world of the Klondike.

II: The Law of Club and Fang

Undergoes brutal initiation into the law of club and fang; learns to pull a sled and adapt to the North.

III: The Dominant Primordial Beast

Displays growing cunning and primordial strength; avoids fights but ultimately kills Spitz in a decisive battle.

Who Has Won to Mastership

Assumes leadership of the team after killing Spitz, enforces discipline, and leads a record run to Skaguay.

The Toil of Trace and Trail

Exhausted and starved, Buck is sold to Hal and Charles, then rescued by John Thornton.

For the Love of a Man

Recovers strength, experiences passionate love for Thornton, performs feats of loyalty and strength.

VII: The Sounding of the Call

Buck experiences the powerful call of the wild, hunts and kills a bear, fights wolverenes, and ultimately joins a wolf pack, becoming a legendary Ghost Dog.