Abstract

The Call of the Wild is Jack London's novel, although the range of subjects is not complicated, it's themes are obviously rich and multiple. On the basis of domestic and foreign scholars' researches, this thesis digs the deep level of the novel’s main themes, analyses the work to interpret the rich emotional and philosophical connotations hidden in London. From experiences by Buck being abused by human beings, the author writes out anthropocentrism's disadvantages existed in the real world. In the northern environment, in order to survive, Buck continues to struggle with others, adapts to the environment and changes himself to survive, from which, the author writes out the significance of the theory of the survival of the fittest. Finally, with the result of Buck's abandoning to human society and returning to the wildness, the author writes out various social situations of the late 19th and early 20th century, expresses his disappointments to some of the hypocrisy of the so-called human civilization. He wishes to return wildness and true self, and it's also his hope to others in society. This thesis aims to reveal the themes of the work, tastes the darkness of society and the complexity of human nature at the same time. It warns people in modern age, the society's healthy development must follow the laws of man and nature in harmony. Human’s sustainable development must ask people to learn to struggle in the adaptation process.

Keywords: Jack London, The Call of the Wild, The multiple Themes.

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1.Introduction-5

2.Literature Review-5

3.The Reality of Anthropocentrism in The Call of the Wild-6

3.1 The introduction of anthropocentrism-7

3.2 Buck’s misery brought by human beings-7

3.3 The death of the Charles-8

4.The Doctrine of the Survival of the Fittest of The Call of the Wild-9

4.1 Adapting everything to be alive-9

4.2 Cruel struggle in northern environment-10

4.3 Buck’s elite transition-10

5.The Expectation to Return Wilderness-11

5.1 The description of northern wilderness prototype-12

5.2 Buck’s returning of wilderness-12

6.Conclusion-13

Works Cited-14