The Tone Is Harsh, Brutal, And Instructional As It Explores The Theme Of Survival And Adaptation In A Wilderness Setting.

Buck experiences the brutal law of the wild when he witnesses a fellow dog, Curly, get fatally attacked by a pack. He begins his adjustment to sled work and learns important survival skills, transforming in response to the harsh conditions.

In this chapter, Buck is exposed to the primitive 'law of club and fang' as he witnesses the savage dog world distinct from his previous life at Judge Miller's estate. His naïve understanding of dog interaction is shattered when a friendly advance by Curly is met with a ferocious attack, leading to her death. Buck quickly learns the rule of no fair play once a dog is down in this violent new environment. He begins to experience the rigors of sled labor, adapting to his harness and learning commands. François demands instant obedience, reinforcing with the whip, while the dogs from the team, especially Spitz, teach Buck the workings of the group. The introduction of new, diverse dogs, like Joe and Billee, and the old, experienced husky, Sol-leks, further enforces the team's dynamics. Buck grapples with the demands of sled work, scarcity of food, and survival against the cold. By the time he learns to sleep buried in the snow for warmth and is already showing signs of a primitive, feral regression, proving his ability to adapt and survive.