White Fang - Theme Analysis Essay

Mikayla Bruce

September 26, 2015

English, Period 6

Theme Analysis Essay

        White Fang, written by Jack London, is a wonderful adventure novel about a wolf, named White Fang, who was born into a harsh environment, but endures it and becomes stronger because of it throughout the story.  In the beginning of the story, two men, named Bill and Henry, struggle to move the body of a rich man across the frozen tundra of Alaska with sled dogs.  As the men travel, a pack of hungry wolves shadow their trail.  One by one, the wolves gradually kill off the group of dogs, and eventually Bill, while attempting to survive the long winter.  In this story, Jack London uses the events that appear throughout White Fang’s life to explain that only the brightest, strongest, and the fittest individuals survive. The second theme that appears in this novel is romanticism, and finally naturalism.  

In the beginning of the story, the theme of natural selection emerges.  This means that only the strongest, most intelligent, and well-adapted individuals survive.  Although the main character, White Fang, was not introduced until the third chapter, from the beginning, he was the strongest.  White Fang was the only pup of his litter to survive starvation. His intelligence, strength, and ability to adapt quickly to new circumstances and survive made other dogs of his pact fear him.  While defending Judge Scott from an intruder late one night, White Fang broke his leg, and three ribs (one of which pierced his lung), and was shot three times; he was astonishingly able to survive these injuries.  Throughout the story, White Fang learns that if he fails to be the strongest and most adjustable, he will eventually die.  He learns how to fight other dogs, to obey new masters, and he learns to rely on man for survival, even though he is mistreated by Beauty; he learns to be loved and tamed by Weedon Scott.

        The second theme to appear in this novel is romanticism, which is the state of being romantic or loving.  Part five of the book shows how love can tame instincts and natural behavior.  White Fang learns to love Weedon Scott, which gives the dog a longing to do anything that pleases him.  This includes playing with Weedon’s children and allowing them to climb on him, and learning to leave the chickens alone, although he enjoys their taste.  White Fang is loved by Weedon Scott and in return, the dog learns to love him back.