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The Call of the Wild   Chapter 1

“Into the Primitive”

nomadic – roaming                                                        quivering - trembling                              

brumal – wintry – shortest day of the year               frothing – foaming

ferine – wild, savage                                                    detestable - hateful

groping – moving with great effort                            waxed – layer upon layer (his anger)

veranda – open porch                                                   boded - created

interlacing – overlapping                                             metamorphosed –  changed

artesian – water                                                           ferocity - cruel

demesne – domain                                                         cayuses – horses

imperiously – arrogant, domineering                           soliloquized – speak alone

insular – having the form of an island                         ruction - uproar

besetting – constantly attacking                                docilely - tame

progeny – descendants                                                dominion - authority

conveyance – vehicle                                                    conciliated – bring together

lacerated – cut                                                             weazened - small

hydrophobia – rabies                                                   swarthy – tough, hard                                                 

Questions:

1.  What bread of dog is Buck?  Describe what he looks like.

 

2.  Describe Buck's character.  Explain what role he plays in the household. 

3. List and describe the roles of the other dogs in Judge Miller's household.

4. Explain why the gardener takes Buck . 

5. Describe the situation where Buck learns the “Law of the Club”.  Write down the number of the page where you found this information. 

6. Explain why Buck knows he is on a train.  There is  a reference to his time with Judge Miller that should be included in your answer.

 

7. Explain how the humans treat Buck after he gets off the train. 

8. Explain the "metamorphoses" Buck undergoes throughout this chapter. 

 

 9. What lessons does Buck learn by the end of this chapter?

10. Describe the character of Perrault. What kind of man is he so far? 

 

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