White Fang

“He had no conscious knowledge of death, but like every animal of the Wild, he possessed the instinct of death.”

This companion to The Call of the Wild is a thrilling adventure novel written in 1906 by American author Jack London. Set in the Yukon Territory during the 1890’s Klondike Gold Rush, it follows White Fang, a mangy wolf-dog hybrid, with sharp teeth and claws to match, as he embarks on a struggle for survival on his journey of self-discovery.

After his mother is killed, White Fang.is adopted by a man who teaches him the way of the wild and introduces him to the harsh realities of life. After being sold to a cruel, abusive owner, he manages to escape and is taken in by a kind Gold Rush prospector named Bill. Through him, White Fang gains an understanding of the value of friendship and loyalty, developing a strong bond with the humans he meets along the way. Their kindness, along with the many adventures and significant challenges he faced, teach White Fang important lessons about life, love, and survival.

There is no doubt of the author’s great love for animals. The novel, much of which is written from the viewpoint of White Fang, enables London to explore how animals view their world and how they view humans, but it is easy to see the conflict that could be caused when these two species co-exist together.