A review by galois
The Call of the Wild by Jack London

adventurous reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Some might read it as a story about shirking civilization and returning to primitivism, but I read it as a rebuke of capitalism and a progression towards socialism.
Buck represents a proletarian, and humans represent capitalists. Each of Buck’s owners demonstrate a different fault that can arise from a capitalist organization of a business. John Thornton, the most benevolent owner, represents social democracy, the best form of capitalism; yet even this is flawed, as it can be overtaken/destroyed by another capitalist organization. The only solution is for Buck to create his own economic organization: socialism.
Buck’s system shirks capital and is resistant to encroachment by the bourgeoisie. Unlike Buck’s previous systems of oppression which could be overturned by a sufficiently large sum of cash, the *only* way to tame Buck and his new system is by overwhelmingly violent means.
And I want to reiterate, “The Call of the Wild” is an incredibly gripping story in & of itself, but my experience is only improved by the enjoyment of interpreting it in this way. Highly recommend!