In the novel The Call of the Wild written by Jack London, Buck was presented as a compelling main character who undergoes multiple character developments throughout throughout the novel due to nature and culture. London's approach to characterizing Buck was highly recognized by Donald E. Pease in his essay "Psychoanalysis of the Narrative Logics of Naturalism: The Call of the Wild" to explain Buck's transformation due to the changing environment that surrounds it. While Barbara Hardy Beierl, in her essay “The Sympathetic Imagination and the Human-Animal Bond: Fostering Empathy through Reading Imaginative Literature” reflects the idea that the gain and loss of human-animal connections act to pressure Buck's character change. I intend to show that Buck's character development in the novel is the consequence of naturalistic behavior, as this is what Jack London expresses most clearly in regards to his use of character progression . Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay London's work draws on the work of The Theory of Evolution in describing the ideals that Buck is influenced by the environment. We see this in particular with the harshness of the north: “its development (or regression) was rapid. His muscles became hard as iron and he became insensitive to all ordinary pain.” London clearly instills this adaptability in Buck to hint at his ability to survive. Buck is shaped by changes in his environment and thrives because he possesses the genetic gifts of strength and intelligence necessary to adapt to his unstable circumstances. Buck's physical transformation gave rise to his change in character, as he became more ambitious when it came to leadership. Thus, London demonstrates where his position lies in the nature versus nurture debate, as through Buck's strengthening through the aforementioned events, we see him change to adapt to them. It appears that Pease has similar conclusions regarding Buck's transformation, stating, "the agent of free indirect speech seemed to have been influenced by Buck's innermost sensations in such a way as to transcribe Buck's bodily impulses and intensities." The “free indirect speech” discussed by Pease is a type of third-person narration that acts to manipulate a character's consciousness. London's willingness to manipulate Buck's character reflects the great impact of Darwin's evolutionary theories. London takes into account that Buck, who once lived in "the sunny Santa Clara Valley," enjoyed the domestic comforts of Judge Miller's estate. Buck quickly learns the brutal world of dog sledding – the “law of club and fang” in the harsh environment of Northland. This reflects the fact that the fundamental determining factor in how individuals change, in London's mind, is the hardships they endure that allow their true character to be displayed. Indeed, London's belief lies in the fact that Buck develops further as a character through the unlocking of his innate wildness through environmental pressures and that he has always bared these traits within himself. London placed Buck in conflicts with human beings, to make a further character change. by guiding him towards a more civilized state; however, it does not play the same fundamental role as its environment. Throughout the story, Buck has several masters, one whocauses a radical change in the novel is John Thornton. No one had given Buck "love, real passionate love" like this, "it was his for the first time." This affection of Thornton's does not contribute to Buck's development, the sole purpose of this passage is to establish the human-animal bond that humanizes the relationship between Buck and his owner. The introduction of the existence of love into Buck's mental world is just a feeling. This does not induce any change in Buck's character; further proving the point should be made that London's fixation on personal development is rooted more in their genes than in how they are treated. This is illustrated by the fact that in this sentence there are only intangible words such as love and true passion. For London, these are mere abstractions independent of the physical change wrought in Buck. Indeed, these feelings of love and the warm affection he receives from his companions, humans and dogs, have no impact on his ability to survive in the Arctic. Indeed, Thornton was “the ideal master”, he “saved his life” for which Buck greatly appreciated. However, London has instilled a strong personality that is difficult, if not impossible, to change through an emotional connection. What really initiates the transformation of Buck's character are the impulses of his inner being. The “call of the wild” that guides Buck through the multiple developments of his character brings to the surface his true, most intimate form. Unhindered by the social constraints of his owners or other members of the pack, Buck is truly capable of succumbing to the full power of his “primordial beast.” London illustrates that Buck prioritizes nature more than the only human who ever showed him affection he could understand. When Buck was taken into the wild with Thornton, “he no longer walked,” he “became a wild thing.” London also describes Buck's reaction to nature as an "instant and terrible transformation" that transformed him into an untamed beast. Buck has great dedication and is notable for Thornton, but he unlocks his true identity simply by being exposed to the wilderness. We must realize that Buck's transformation was driven by his natural instincts, while his master shows no control over his thirst for blood and freedom. London embraces the freedom and pride that can be achieved as a path for Buck's character development. Returning to the scene where Buck's loving master, Thornton, is killed by the Yeehats, "it left a great void in him", but this experience had less of an impact on Buck than one might expect . London saw the opportunity to point out that even in the midst of the most moving event in the entire book, Buck's natural power was exaggerated, leaving "carcasses" running wild. Many might argue that it was to get revenge on those who killed his closest friend, but, when analyzing the word carcasses specifically, it does not have connotations related to revenge. Rather, this word engages the reader with feelings of primordial carnage, Buck's true nature, the wild wolf, is capable of escaping free from the shackles of domestication. Buck felt “great pride” in killing, “a pride greater than any he had hitherto felt,” in killing a man, the highest reward. While this could be seen as revenge on Thornton's life, the focus on the murder once again changes the argument about London allowing Buck to take hold of his most primal impulses. The "law of the club and the fang" no longer restricts Buck's naturalistic being, Buck is freed from.