The Call of the Wild

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What was the Klondike (or Yukon) Gold Rush? Why was this event important?

Teaching Suggestion: The Klondike Gold Rush, motivated by the discovery of gold in the Klondike region of Yukon, spurred the migration of some 100,000 prospectors between 1896 and 1899. Though some prospectors became wealthy, most made the perilous journey for nothing. It will be helpful to present students with an overview of the Klondike Gold Rush, including its origins, effects, and aftermath. Make sure that students understand that it was not only prospectors who participated in the Klondike Gold Rush: The influx of new immigrants significantly bolstered the economy of the Pacific Northwest, enriching people in many different industries. But the Klondike Gold Rush also negatively impacted the environment as well as the lives of many local Indigenous people.  

• This History Channel article gives a good overview of the Klondike Gold Rush.
• This page of the official Alaska State website describes the geography of Alaska.

2. What are some adventure novels from the early 20th century? What are some trends you associate with the literature of this period?

Teaching Suggestion: You can give students a basic overview of American literature (especially adventure and nature writing) in the early 20th century, but you may also want to discuss Jack London and his writing. For instance, you might introduce the class to the “nature faker” controversy, which originated when some critics attacked popular nature writers for portraying animals in an overly anthropomorphic fashion. You could also touch on other aspects of London, including his interest in socialism as well as his well-attested racism.

• This article from MasterClass discusses adventure stories and how they are written.
• This article contains a discussion and lesson plan for teaching the nature faker controversy.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

Have you ever experienced the “call of the wild?” Do you ever feel drawn toward the natural world or feel stifled in urban environments? Why do you think the natural world can be so compelling?

Teaching Suggestion: Not all students may enjoy being in nature. That is okay! Encourage these students to think about why many other people might be drawn toward the natural world, even if they themselves are not. You could try to relate this prompt to the “nature versus nurture” debate: Are we always going to be drawn toward the natural world because it is part of our nature, or is how we are brought up more important in determining how we live our lives?

Differentiation Suggestion: To encourage students with artistic and/or musical abilities, consider allowing students to create a visual or musical representation of the “call of the wild”; These students may share their work with the class, explaining why it is representative.