White Fang Book Review

PERSONAL RESPONSE:

Event 1

Situation in Novel: In the Novel, the author mentions the difference of humans feeling for the wolves and dogs. He says that when the wolves look at people in strangely wistful way, their wistfulness there was none of the dog affection. The primary task of most wolves in the wild is to survive, so their desire for hunger is very ferocious. Therefore, people take precautions against the action of these wolves. (London 44)

Personal Reflection: This reminds me of two words spoken by the ancient Chinese: “The rat crosses the street and everyone shouted to kill it.” And “People welcome the arrival of magpies.” The reason why people responded to rats so intensely was that rat expressed malicious behavior at the beginning (they steal food), but the arrival of magpies is always accompanied by a beautiful singing. This explains why people treat animals differently, which is all depending on how the animals treat humans.

Event 2

Situation in Novel: In the novel, the White Fang’s mother did not tell the White Fang after she had guessed that his father had suffered from the accident. (The White Fang is the name of the main character, which is a wolf.) In the case of food shortages, One Eye is an important member of the family because he can help find food. When the end of a second and less severe famine, the she-wolf knows why One Eye (White Fang’s father) never came back. But she (probably out of protection) did not explain to White Fang. (London 134)

Personal Reflection: I didn’t know before that this kind of emotion would exist between animals. I thought it was just a special emotion that only humans would derive. We habitually call this behavior a white lie, but this is somewhat different from the situation in the novel. This she-wolf did not choose to lie, but chose not to talk about it any more. I prefer to call this behavior “a concealment of good intentions.” Just like my grandfather was in the late stage of cancer, no one told him that he was ill.

Event 3

Situation in Novel: In the novel, the cub (the little White Fang) is under the Indian’s control and he experiences two impulsions: yield or fight. Then some of its resistance was punished, and then careful resistances were punished again and again. Finally, when he saw his mother (his finally hope) surrender to humanity, he gave up his resistance. He realized that he could not protect himself at all, so he had to act in violation of his nature to surrender to humanity. (London 181&184)

Personal Reflection: This detail reminds me of a psychological study of animals. This psychological research found a typical behavior which occurs when the subject endures repeatedly painful and it is not be able to avoid, they will choose not to do resistances any more. It was called Learned helplessness. In historical records, humans actually have similar psychology. In the face of a powerful aggression, the failure of multiple wars will allow the vulnerable country to choose to sign an unequal treaty. (Like China during the Qing Dynasty)

Event 4

Situation in Novel: At the end of the story, White Fang was seriously injured to protect Scott (White Fang’s host). The whole family is gathere around the doctor’s office to here the verdict. The surgeon says that he (White Fang) has not a chance in ten thousand. However, Scott is exclaimed that White Fang must not lose any chance that might be of help to him. As the surgeon says that Scott deserves all that can be done for White Fang, because this wolf is like his own sick child. (London 516)

Personal Reflection: If in this book, White Fang’s gratitude and friendship to Scott is as warm as the sea; then Scott’s love for White Fang is like a stream that slowly penetrates the reader’s heart. At this moment, I will not long think that Scott is the owner of White Fang. The human emotions for animals are determined at the moment they are named. That’s why you don’t feel sad about the pork in the supermarket, but you will be saddened by a bird that you have never seen again after you named it. Just like the story of the little prince, getting along with it and it becomes special to you.

Event 5

Situation in Novel: When White Fang first met Scott, he was only attracted by Scott’s food. So when he found that he need a god and he prefer Scott’s than Smith, the evolution of like into love. He is in the process of finding himself and finally like ahd been replaced by love. At this moment, White Fang knows that Scott is his god, a love-god, a warm and radiant god. The thing he wanna get is only the friendly snap of fingers and the word of greeting, the meat that his longing for is not important any more. (London 414)

Personal Reflection: The same is true in the growth of life. Things that are obsessive at first, and unwilling to give up may also become unimportant because of the experience that follows. The story of White Fang’s feelings about Scott reminds me of my cousin’s word. “I used to love a city deeply, but after many years I discovered the true is that I fall in love with someone in this city. Therefore, when I leave with the people that I love, I found that I will love every city in this world.” Perhaps at the beginning, White Fang was redeemed by Scott’s gentleness; at that time he just didn’t know what love is.

LITERARY ANALYSIS:

Setting – Required Question 1:Identify the setting of the story; include geographical details, time period, and conditions.

The story takes place in the Wild, the savage, Frozen-hearted Northland Whild. (In Yukon and Canada) Starting with the birth background of main characters (White Fang). The condition of this novel for the main character is unusual, which is a very difficult wild environment. They must not only face the hunger and food shotrages brought about by the cold, but also face internal struggles and other large animals.(lynx) Then came the death of White Fang’s father and then left his mother’s life.

Seting Question 2: What is unique about the setting of the book, and how does it enhance or take away from the story?

The book is divided into five parts, but these five parts perfectly explain White Fang’s background and a series of experiences. It won’t be dominated by a large-scale description of the background（Almost two and a half big part). These large-scale family backgrounds have paved the way for the personality characteristics that White Fang has shown. White Fang’s mother is one-half of the wolf gene, and he is three-quarters of the wolf gene. And the early experience also explained the reaction he showed later.

Required Question 3: Identify the main character and explain why you liked or disliked him/her.

The character is a wolf (three-quarters of the wolf gene) that inherits the wildness of the wolf but also inherits the servility of the dog as a result of being tamed. I think I like this character very much because it is not blindly rebellious. He is a very intelligent image in the author’s pen and knows how to be grateful and rewarding. At the same time, his loyalty and enthusiasm are fully reflected when he is working for stand sentry.

Character Question 4: How do characters change or evolve throughout the course of the story? What events trigger these changes?

White Fang started with the mother in the wild, but they came to the Indian settlement because of the lack of food. Then White Fang was forced to suppress the nature and become obedient. (At this time, White Fang became fearful of humanity.) Under the long-term supervision of the Indians, he began to become ferocious and full of hatred against animals and people. The control of the new master (Smith) further deepens his dislike of humanity. Knowing that the turning point occurred, he met Scott. Under Scott’s gentle treatment, White Fang began to lay down his prejudice. (From under to under, then become equal).

Conflict – Required Question 5: What is the most important conflict in this novel? Explain why.

The most important conflict in this novel is White Fang’s innermost changes to humans. The reason is that his memory of human beings from childhood is difficult and abusive, and as his growth, these sufferings gradually increase. Human control forced him to control his own nature, so when he met Scott, he became suspicious. (His trust for the human is like the story called “the wolf is coming”.) We know that people have symptoms of PTSD, and animals are no exception. The reason why the author described Scott as the god of White Fang is not only because of the change of White Fang’s inner conflict, but also because his behavior is like Jesus can generally make others redeemed.

Conflict Question 6: Have you ever experienced a similar type of conflict? Explain.

I was once troubled by such a similar problem. “If one day you become a person you once hated, would you forgive yourself?” In the novel, White Fang was initially extremely disgusted and controlled. He hates being inhibited from doing things that he does not want to do. However, Scott’s appearance completely changed him. He is willing to control his wildness and is completely submissive to Scott. In my opinion, this may be a kind of growth, but the way it was in the beginning was extreme.

Theme – Required Question 7: Write a theme statement for your novel; MUST include title of novel and complete name of author.

In the novel White Fang by Jack London , the theme is that the relationship between self-control and persecution of others.

Theme Question 8: Based on the theme of the novel, evaluate the author’s worldview. Is it compatible with a Christian worldview? Why or why not?

I think the author is a person who advocates free thinking and autonomous behavior. He used the story of White Fang to tell the different consequences of the two different ways of doing the same thing. (The Indian persecution strengthens the disgust and fear in White Fang’s heart, and Scott’s gentle treatment makes him not mind the past.) This is a very Christian worldview because he shows us the best way to get along with God (in the story, the relationship between White Fang and people): Be With GOD.