The Call of the Wild
by Jack London
Classics, Fiction, Adventure, Young-Adult, Animals, Historical-Fiction, Literature
First published in 1903, The Call of the Wild is regarded as Jack London’s masterpiece. Based on London’s experiences as a gold prospector in the Canadian wilderness and his ideas about nature and the struggle for existence, The Call of the Wild is a tale about unbreakable spirit and the fight for survival in the frozen Alaskan Klondike.
Recommendations from Common Sense Media
Age Recommendation: 12+
What Parents Need to Know:
Parents need to know that Jack London’s classic novel The Call of the Wild was originally published in 1903. It traces the journey of a dog named Buck from domestic family life to pulling sleds during the Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890s, and then heeding the pull of his natural instincts to return to the wild. This is a story of survival and includes a great deal of brutality that may be upsetting to animal lovers. Dogs are clubbed and whipped. Animals fight each other to the death, and tear out the throats of dogs and men. The book also has some bigoted and sexist portrayals of humans. At one stage in Buck’s story, he’s owned by two men who are described as “… a black-faced giant called Francois. Perrault was a French-Canadian, and swarthy; but Francois was a French-Canadian half-breed, and twice as swarthy.” Native Americans commit a ruthless attack in the book as well, killing dogs and men. And the only woman who figures in the story acts like a spoiled child, by turns overfeeding the dogs (which leads to insufficient food and starvation later) and overworking them. Ultimately, however, this is a story about the power of a dog’s natural instincts, and the dignity that animals deserve. The book has been adapted for film, most recently in the 2020 movie starring Harrison Ford.
Educational Value: 2/5
Offers a portrait of the Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890s, including details on how dogsled teams work, and the hardships experienced by the people and animals.
Positive Messages: 2/5
Dogs thrive when they can follow their powerful instincts.
Positive Role Models: 2/5
Buck’s final owner, John Thornton, is rough but more decent and compassionate than any other humans in the story. His kindness and respect for Buck’s nature engenders the dog’s loyalty and love. One character is half-French Canadian and half-Native American, described in negative terms. At one point Native Americans attack, killing dogs and men. The only woman who figures in the story acts like a spoiled child, by turns overfeeding the dogs (which leads to insufficient food and starvation later) and overworking them.
Violence & Scariness: 4/5
Men and dogs are beaten and killed, and attack and kill each other. Men beat dogs with clubs and whips. Dogs fight to the death and tear out the throats of men and other dogs. Lots of bloody details.
Sex, Romance & Nudity: n/a
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Language: 1/5
“Hell” is used several times. A biracial character is referred to as a “half-breed.”
Products & Purchases: n/a
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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking: 1/5
Men smoke pipes. Men also receive “invitations to drink” alcohol, but drinking is not depicted.
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