The Call of the Wild · Chapter
Who Has Won to Mastership explained
Buck asserts his dominance and becomes the new leader of the sled team after killing Spitz.
What happens
Buck asserts his dominance and becomes the new leader of the sled team after killing Spitz. He proves his superiority through discipline and strength, leading the team on a record run to Skaguay. The chapter also highlights the decline of Dave, who is too sick to continue but refuses to be replaced, ultimately being left behind. Buck and the team are then reassigned to a heavy mail run back to Dawson.
Themes in this chapter
Mastery and Leadership
Buck earns and asserts his right to lead through strength and cunning, transforming the team's discipline and performance.
Survival of the Fittest
Dave's decline and eventual removal from the traces illustrate the harsh reality that only the fit can endure the relentless toil.
Love and Loyalty
Dave's desperate refusal to be replaced, even when dying, shows his deep pride and loyalty to his role in the team.
Characters to notice
- Buck
Assumes leadership of the team after killing Spitz, enforces discipline, and leads a record run to Skaguay.
- Dave
Suffers from an internal injury, is removed from the team, but refuses to be replaced and eventually collapses.
- François
Initially resists Buck's claim to leadership but eventually concedes; later bids Buck farewell in Skaguay.
- Perrault
Supports François in trying to control Buck, then acknowledges Buck's worth; celebrates the record run.
- Sol-leks
Briefly placed as lead dog but is displaced by Buck; accepts the change without complaint.
- Billee
Shows signs of exhaustion, crying in his sleep; remains good-natured under Buck's leadership.
Key passages
“Dave had bitten through both of Sol-leks’s traces, and was standing directly in front of the sled in his proper place. He pleaded with his eyes to remain there.”
Dave chewed through Sol-leks's harness and took his old position, begging with his eyes to be allowed to keep working.
Dave's desperate act shows his refusal to give up his role despite being mortally ill.
“Buck trotted up to the place Spitz would have occupied as leader; but François, not noticing him, brought Sol-leks to the coveted position.”
Buck went to the lead position, but François ignored him and put Sol-leks there instead.
Buck immediately claims the leadership he believes he has earned.
“It was a record run. Each day for fourteen days they had averaged forty miles.”
The team set a new speed record, covering forty miles daily for two weeks.
Under Buck's leadership, the team achieves an unprecedented feat of endurance and speed.