Now that Buck’s self-contradiction is shown to be present, it is necessary to show its presence as dynamic, varying from time to time with the change of Buck’s environment and company。
2。2 The weak call of the wild in the civilized environment
Buck’s fist master is Mr。 Miller。 He was born in Miller’s big house and he is the chief dog。 He is the leader of these dogs and he likes swimming。 However, he has to babysit Mr。 Miller’s grandchildren---“On wintry nights he lay at the Judge’s feet before the roaring library fire; he carried the Judge’s grandsons on his back。”(London, 1973) At that time, he is happy without sorrow and anxiety。 He enjoys the comfort of civilization and free life。 Meanwhile, he is the good friend of human beings just like most dogs。 When he stays with other farm dogs, he knows he is the chief and leader; he feels proud of himself; he likes sports which can show his energy。 However, he was born to have the gene of a wolf, and the call of the wild is always there in his blood。 At this time, the call of the wild hardly influences Buck when he shows his loyalty to his master。 Buck’s self-contradiction is obscure during this time。 In other words, sometimes the call of the wild is heard, but at most time it is vague。 Having been domestic since he was born, he doesn’t possess the ability to notice the danger。 He is just a happy dog lives in a big and warm house。 He has learned to trust in men he know and give them credit for wisdom that outreached his own。 At this time, the broken line of the call of the wild is still at the starting point with a little fluctuation。 This point is ready to move but is waiting for a right time to go up。 And then, that “time” arrives for him。来*自~优|尔^论:文+网www.youerw.com +QQ752018766*
2。3 The first loud call
The call of the wild suddenly grows very loud, for the first time, when Buck is kidnapped and abused。 “In quick rage, he sprang at the man, who met him halfway, grappled him close by the throat and a deft twist threw him over his back…he knew nothing when the train was flagged and two men threw him into the baggage car。” (London, 1973) At that time, he has noticed that he was treated badly。 He has travelled a lot with Mr Miller but he never had the experience of riding in a baggage car。 He knows something is not right。 After suffering much pain, Buck finally attempts to face his tormentors。 “Then the rope tightened mercilessly, while Buck struggled in a fury, his tongue tolling out of his mouth and his great chest panting futilely。 Never in his life had he been so vilely treated, and never in all his life had he been so angry。 But his strength ebbed his eyes glazed and he knew nothing when the train was flagged and the two men threw him into the baggage car”。(London, 1973) He is fierce and tries to fight because the wolf gene in his blood tells him not to compromise。 He should be angry; however, he even can be glad for that the rope is off his neck。 Here his self-contradiction emerges。 He would fight but he fight a little and is happy with others’ treat with little leniency。 Just like a man who has Stockholm syndrome---if the criminal lets him alive, he would be a little grateful。 For two days and nights of torment, he becomes a “red-eyed devil”。 A fierce wolf can be a devil。 At this time, the wolf that is sleeping in his body revives when he is treated badly。 The influence of the call of the wild has its first big rise on Buck。 He knows he has to fight but he is still a dog who comes from the civilized society。 He hates the two men’s atrocity; he can find a little comfort if they treat him with a slight mercy。 He is self-contradictory。 The change of environment and the behaviors of people around him awake the wolf gene in his blood, making the wildness began to strengthen。 He starts to notice the danger and learn how to reduce injuries from those two men。 《野性的呼唤》中巴克的动态性自我矛盾的分析(3):http://www.youerw.com/yingyu/lunwen_85787.html