Of Wolves and Men

Paper Summary:

This paper uses London's works "White Fang," "Call of the Wild "and" Sea-Wolf" as examples of how London uses wolves to represent certain naturalistic and Darwinist facets in his works. London's use of the "wolf-dog" represents the basest of man's instincts, survival of the fittest. In all three books, London's characters are reduced to their lowest levels as they struggle with the natural elements, and attempt to emulate the survival skills of the mighty wolf, and thereby survive in their newfound environment.

From the Paper:

"London populates his books with rugged outdoorsmen trying to make their way through the natural world. Many authors' characters make you care about them, or wonder what happened to them, London's often do not. For example, in "Sea-Wolf," there is no feeling of sadness when the captain dies; there is only a sense of relief and revenge. London is often much more concerned with the elements and animals as they relate to man, thus, they are only concerned about their survival and their ultimate ability to adapt to their surroundings. London uses these characteristics of naturalism and Darwinism extensively in his work as he writes about the natural world and "survival of the fittest."
In literature, critics use naturalism to describe works that give an unforgiving, realistic view of nature, with mankind at its mercy. "Dark spruce forest frowned on either side the frozen waterway. The trees had been stripped by a recent wind of their white covering of frost, and they seemed to lean toward each other, black and ominous, in the fading light" (White Fang 93). In naturalism, it is only the strong that will survive their battle with nature, the elements, and their surroundings. "This 'naturalism,' flowing in both streams, is partly defying Nature and partly submitting to it" (McClintock 55). While naturalism can be construed as many things, Donald Pizer's definition of naturalism seems the closest to London's own concept and intent."

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