Jack London's White Fang is a companion piece to The Call of the Wild, but it reverses the narrative arc. The novel follows a wild wolfdog's journey into domestication. Set in the Yukon Territory during the Klondike Gold Rush, it explores the brutal realities of the wilderness and the transformative power of cruelty and kindness.
The story begins with a pack of wolves struggling to survive a harsh winter. A she-wolf, later named Kiche, is pursued by two men, Bill and Henry, who are transporting a coffin. The wolves, driven by hunger, stalk the men, and they are killed one by one. Kiche, however, escapes and finds a mate, a wolf-dog with a reddish coat.
Kiche gives birth to a litter of pups in a cave. Only one pup, White Fang, survives. White Fang's early life is a brutal education in the law of the wild. He learns to hunt, fight, and survive in the harsh environment. His experiences are marked by violence and the constant struggle for dominance.
Kiche and White Fang are discovered by Gray Beaver, an Indian chief, who recognizes Kiche as his former sled dog. Gray Beaver takes them back to his camp, where White Fang is subjected to the hierarchy of the dog pack. He learns to obey Gray Beaver and to fear the other dogs.
White Fang's life takes a dark turn when he is traded to "Beauty" Smith, a cruel and sadistic man who exploits White Fang's fighting abilities. Smith forces White Fang to participate in brutal dog fights, turning him into a vicious and savage animal. White Fang becomes a legendary fighter, feared and hated by all.
White Fang's experiences with Beauty Smith harden him, reinforcing his belief that life is a brutal struggle for survival. He becomes a creature of hate and violence, reflecting the cruelty he has endured.
His life drastically changes when Weedon Scott, a kind and compassionate mining engineer, rescues him. Scott takes White Fang to his home in California, where he begins the arduous process of rehabilitating the traumatized animal. Scott's patience, love, and gentle treatment gradually win White Fang's trust.
White Fang's transformation is slow and challenging. He struggles to overcome his ingrained instincts and the scars of his past. Scott's kindness, however, gradually melts White Fang's hardened exterior, revealing a loyal and loving creature beneath. White Fang learns to trust and love, a stark contrast to his previous experiences.
White Fang's loyalty to Scott is tested when he defends Scott's family from a dangerous escaped convict, Jim Hall. Despite his injuries, White Fang defeats Hall, saving the lives of Scott's family. This act of heroism cements White Fang's transformation from a savage fighter to a devoted companion.
The novel concludes with White Fang living a peaceful and contented life with the Scott family. He has fully adapted to his domesticated life, finding solace and security in their love and care. He becomes a symbol of the transformative power of kindness, demonstrating that even the most savage creatures can be redeemed through compassion and understanding.
Commentary
"White Fang" is a powerful exploration of the interplay between nature and nurture, examining how environment and experience shape an individual's character. Jack London's vivid depiction of the Yukon wilderness and his portrayal of White Fang's journey from savage wolf-dog to domesticated companion are both compelling and thought-provoking. The novel delves into themes of survival, adaptation, and the transformative power of love and kindness. While it portrays the harsh realities of life in the wild and the cruelty of humanity, it also offers a message of hope, demonstrating that even the most damaged beings can find redemption through compassion. The book explores the capacity of all living things to respond to kindness, even after experiencing the worst of humanity.