On page 14 of The Call Of The Wild, what’s meant by the phrase “The domesticated generations fell from him”? (a) Buck has lost a lot of hair in his fight with Spitz (b) Buck is learning to love a human being again (c) Buck is losing his civilized characteristics (d) Buck longs to return home to the Judge’s family
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is: (c) Buck is losing his civilized characteristics.
Explanation:
In The Call of the Wild by Jack London, the phrase “The domesticated generations fell from him” appears during a crucial turning point in Buck’s transformation. Buck, a once-pampered pet of Judge Miller in sunny California, is being hardened by the brutal conditions of the Yukon wilderness during the Klondike Gold Rush. The phrase captures the moment when Buck begins to shed his inherited, civilized traits—those passed down from generations of domesticated dogs who lived in comfort and under human control.
London uses this metaphorical language to emphasize how Buck is adapting to his new life in the wild. “Domesticated generations” refers to the traits and behaviors ingrained in Buck through years of breeding and living among humans—obedience, gentleness, dependence on humans for food and safety. As Buck faces constant struggle for survival, he starts to act more on instinct, guided by the ancient memory of his wolf ancestors. His senses sharpen, he becomes more aggressive and independent, and he begins to understand and follow the laws of the wild—strength, dominance, and survival of the fittest.
This moment marks Buck’s internal shift from a civilized pet to a primal creature of the wilderness. It’s not about losing hair (eliminating option a), loving a human again (b), or longing to return home (d). Instead, it is a symbolic shedding of his old identity. This transformation is a key theme in the novel, showing how animals—and by extension, humans—can revert to a more natural, instinctive way of being when placed in raw and unforgiving environments.
In essence, Buck’s journey is about rediscovering his true nature. The phrase highlights how the comfort of civilization is being replaced by the call of the wild that beckons from deep within his bloodline.