How did John Thornton die?
In Jack London’s classic novel The Call of the Wild, the character of John Thornton meets a tragic end. While on an expedition to a gold mine in the North, Thornton strikes gold and Buck, the main character, starts to embrace his wild instincts. However, upon his return to Thornton’s camp, Buck discovers a devastating sight. His beloved owner has been brutally murdered by a group of Yeehat Indians. Filled with rage, Buck launches a vengeful attack on the Yeehats, avenging his master’s death.
The Events Leading Up to Thornton’s Death
In Jack London’s novel, The Call of the Wild, the character of John Thornton meets a tragic end in a sequence of unfortunate events. Thornton, an experienced and prosperous gold hunter during the Alaskan gold rush, sets off on an expedition to a legendary gold mine in the North, accompanied by his comrades Pete and Hans. Buck, the story’s main character and Thornton’s loyal dog, joins them on their journey. As they venture into the wilderness, fortune smiles upon them, and they strike gold, bringing excitement and prosperity to their camp.
However, as Buck starts to embrace his innate wild instincts, he spends more time in the untamed wilderness, hunting and surviving on his own. During this time, his actions become more akin to that of a wolf rather than a domesticated dog. Unbeknownst to Buck, a group of Yeehat Indians, driven by their own motives, targets Thornton’s camp while he and his companions are away. Tragically, when Buck eventually returns to the camp, he discovers the lifeless body of his beloved owner, mercilessly slain by the Yeehats.
The shocking sight of Thornton’s death ignites an uncontrollable rage within Buck. Driven by vengeance, he launches a fearsome assault on the Yeehat Indians, seeking justice for his fallen master. In his fury, Buck overwhelms the Yeehats, creating a lasting impression of an evil spirit haunting them. This pivotal moment in the story marks a crucial turning point for Buck, as he fully embraces his wild nature and severs his remaining ties to humanity, becoming an integral part of the untamed wilderness.
Buck’s reaction and actions after Thornton’s death
After witnessing the brutal murder of his beloved owner, John Thornton, at the hands of the Yeehat Indians, Buck is consumed by a deep sense of fury and rage. His loyalty to Thornton and the trauma of losing him drive Buck to launch a ferocious attack on the defenseless Yeehats, seeking vengeance for his fallen master.
Buck’s relentless assault leaves the Yeehats terrified and bewildered, believing him to be an evil spirit haunting them from the depths of the wilderness. In this pivotal moment, Buck fully embraces his wild nature, shedding the remnants of his domestication and becoming a true creature of the untamed wilderness. The bloody encounter with the Yeehats marks a significant turning point for Buck, as he breaks free from his ties to humanity and fully succumbs to his instinctual drive for survival.
The transformation of Buck from a domesticated dog to a fierce and untamed creature symbolizes the power of loyalty, love, and the unyielding force of nature. In Jack London’s The Call of the Wild, Buck’s journey after Thornton’s death exemplifies the indomitable spirit of wilderness and the unbreakable bond between man and beast, reminding us of the raw and primeval nature that resides within all living creatures.
