THE DEPICTION OF ANIMALISM IN JACK LONDON’S “THE CALL OF THE WILD” AND “WHITE FANG”
Keywords:
Jack London, instinct, adaptability, animal behavior, evolution, Darwinism, naturalism, survival, “The Call of the Wild”, “White Fang”.Abstract
This article explores Jack London’s representation of instinctual behavior and the necessity of adaptation in his acclaimed novels “The Call of the Wild” and “White Fang”. Both works engage with evolutionary themes and depict a nuanced interaction between heredity and environment. Drawing on Darwinian theory and naturalist philosophy, London constructs animal protagonists whose survival is not solely dependent on physical prowess, but rather on their ability to respond flexibly to hostile and unfamiliar settings. The metamorphosis of Buck and White Fang reveals the mutable nature of identity and underscores the enduring significance of instinct. The analysis reveals that endurance stems not only from physical dominance, but also from emotional intelligence and adaptability. This study brings to light the underlying philosophical and psychological dimensions in London’s animal narratives, offering broader implications about adaptation and the essence of the human experience.
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