Chapter 3: The Dominant Primordial Beast
Discussion Questions:
1.) Describe Spitz's character using examples from the chapter to support your answer. Spitz is the lead dog he is a bully because he laughed when Dolly died. Spitz like to be left alone.
2.) How do Francois and Perrault display their true natures in this chapter? Give specific examples to support your answer? At the beginning of the story they were mean but at the end of the chapter they were nice to Buck. Perrault is nicer than Francois , they are both protective of there dogs.
3.) How does Buck begin to undermine Spitz's authority in this chapter? What were the effects of Buck's actions? What does this say about Buck's transformation from a "Southland dog"? He does not like Spitz taking his food and when they hunt the rabbit Spitz losses the rabbit. That he lost the lead pack from the sled. He is becoming more of a wolf and less of a dog. He steals other dogs for food for survival.
4.) In the following quotation what does London mean by the "dominant primordial beast"? Buck kills Spitz he is also the new leader of the pack/ took charge.
A pause seemed to fall. Every animals was motionless as though turned to stone. Only Spitz quivered and bristled as he staggered back and forth, snarling with horrible menace, as though to frighten off impending death. Then Buck sprang in and out; but while he was in, shoulder had at ast squarely met shoulder. The dark circle became a dot on the moon-flooded snow as Spitz disappeared from view. Buck stoof and looked on, the successful champion, the dominant primordial beast who had made his kill and found it good. (p. 31)
5.) What traits have helped Buck thrive in his new world? Of them, why do you think is most important? Why? Something personal about you his most important traits is the imagination and creativity, he is fearless and untamed. He is also a fast learner. This is most important trait is that he can use his creativity and never run out of ideas.
1.) Describe Spitz's character using examples from the chapter to support your answer. Spitz is the lead dog he is a bully because he laughed when Dolly died. Spitz like to be left alone.
2.) How do Francois and Perrault display their true natures in this chapter? Give specific examples to support your answer? At the beginning of the story they were mean but at the end of the chapter they were nice to Buck. Perrault is nicer than Francois , they are both protective of there dogs.
3.) How does Buck begin to undermine Spitz's authority in this chapter? What were the effects of Buck's actions? What does this say about Buck's transformation from a "Southland dog"? He does not like Spitz taking his food and when they hunt the rabbit Spitz losses the rabbit. That he lost the lead pack from the sled. He is becoming more of a wolf and less of a dog. He steals other dogs for food for survival.
4.) In the following quotation what does London mean by the "dominant primordial beast"? Buck kills Spitz he is also the new leader of the pack/ took charge.
A pause seemed to fall. Every animals was motionless as though turned to stone. Only Spitz quivered and bristled as he staggered back and forth, snarling with horrible menace, as though to frighten off impending death. Then Buck sprang in and out; but while he was in, shoulder had at ast squarely met shoulder. The dark circle became a dot on the moon-flooded snow as Spitz disappeared from view. Buck stoof and looked on, the successful champion, the dominant primordial beast who had made his kill and found it good. (p. 31)
5.) What traits have helped Buck thrive in his new world? Of them, why do you think is most important? Why? Something personal about you his most important traits is the imagination and creativity, he is fearless and untamed. He is also a fast learner. This is most important trait is that he can use his creativity and never run out of ideas.
Vocabulary:
Malingerer - a person who malingers (pg.56) "Pike the malinger leaped upon the crippled animal."
Marauders - a raider (pg. 58) " To find the marauders gone and two man in bad tempers."
Covert - A shelter or hiding area. (pg. 67) " With the covert mutiny of Buck."
Insidious - harmful (pg. 73) " The insidious revolt lead by Buck."
Travail - painful (pg.69) " The articulate travail of existence."
Placatingly - angry ( pg. 73) " Not half so placatingly as in former days."
Inexorable - to stop (pg.84) "Buck was inexorable."
Malingerer - a person who malingers (pg.56) "Pike the malinger leaped upon the crippled animal."
Marauders - a raider (pg. 58) " To find the marauders gone and two man in bad tempers."
Covert - A shelter or hiding area. (pg. 67) " With the covert mutiny of Buck."
Insidious - harmful (pg. 73) " The insidious revolt lead by Buck."
Travail - painful (pg.69) " The articulate travail of existence."
Placatingly - angry ( pg. 73) " Not half so placatingly as in former days."
Inexorable - to stop (pg.84) "Buck was inexorable."
3.) Write a poem reflecting the compassion and kindness that the drivers, Francois and Perrault, have for their dogs.
The loving of the dogs
Will continue loving them
Their life is are in my hands now