Abstract:The Call of the Wild tells a story about the process a pet dog metamorphosizing into a wolf. This is a fight between civilization and the wild. While, the wild defeats civilization eventually. In the process of Buck’s transformation, the law of Club and Fang helps him gain the survival skills and become more and more mature, and at last his wild nature is inspired thoroughly. The call of the wild and the death of Thornton finally make Buck lose the attachment to human society and he choose to return to the original forest. This thesis will analyze the causes of Buck’s return to the wild from the perspective of naturalism.

Key words: genetic determinism; environmental determinism; character

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction1

2. Causes of Buck’s Return to the Wild..2

2.1 Genetic Determinism....2

2.2 Environmental Determinism....3

2.2.1 Natural Environment.3

2.2.2 Social Environment...5

    2.2.2(i) Living in Judge Miller’s Place

    2.2.2(ii)Being Sold to a Man with Red Sweater

    2.2.2(iii)Being Sold to Perrault and Francois

    2.2.2(iv)Being Sold to Hal

    2.2.2(v)Being Saved by Thornton

    2.2.2(vi)The Death of Thornton

    2.2.2(vii)Responding to The Call of the Wild

2.3 The Personality of Buck.10

  2.3.1 The Courage to Challenge...10

  2.3.2 The Spirit of Grittiness10

3. Conclusion11

Bibliography.11

Acknowledgements..12