The character development of Buck, the Arctic north setting, and the theme survival of the fittest all relate to each other. Without the Arctic setting the development of Buck and the theme could not be the same. The same could be said if one changed the character development and theme. The setting is important because this story could not happen in two many other places except in the Northwest. The development of Buck as a character is totally dependent on the setting because he is battling the elements along with his mind and other characters.
Buck met many challenges from the setting and physical demand of being a sled dog, and from the competition between the dogs. He was part of a sled team that delivered mail to and from Dawson, where the gold miners were. (London 59) The more comfortable he withhis team, the more he wanted to be the leader. Buck lead a revolt in which he challenged the leadership of the lead dog, Spitz. (London 47) Tension between the two dogs mounted, "Buck never came near Spitz without snarling and bristling menacingly." (London 48) The tension between the dogs culminated in fight between them, "He (Buck) fought with instinct, but he could fight by head as well. His teeth closed on Spitz's left for leg. There was a crunch.... this time he was the one who was beaten." Buck killed Spitz and would not continue on the path without being put as lead dog, "He wanted, not to escape a clubbing, but to have the leadership. It was his by right. He had earned it, and he would not be content with less." (London 53) After Buck became lead dog he matured because of the added responsibilities and he was successful. Then Buck and his team changed hands, "Francois called Buck to him, threw his arms around him, wept over him. And that was the last of Francois and Perrault." (London 55) The sled team was worked very hard and it showed in all of them including Buck as they became real worn down. "It was a monotonous life, operating with machine-like regularity." (London 55), sums up life on the trial for Buck because they went through the same routine everyday which put a lot of where on all the dogs bodies including Buck's, "Buck's one hundred and forty pounds had dwindled to one hundred and fifteen." (London 60) Buck and his sled team changed hands for a third time, "Buck heard the chaffering, saw the money pass between the man and the Government agent, and knew that the Scotch halfbreed and the mail-train drivers were passing out of his life on the heels of Perrault and Francois." (London 61) Buck developed a way to interpret and understand humans or masters. "For Thornton, however, his love seemed to grow and grow. He alone among men could put a pack upon Buck's back in the summer traveling. Nothing was too great for Buck to do, when Thornton commanded." (London 78) shows how Buck has matured emotionally and has become attached to a human. Buck was devoted to Thornton, "For two days and nights Buck never left camp, never let Thornton out of his sight. He followed him about at his work, watched him while he ate, saw him into his blankets at night and out of them in the morning." (London 91) Buck was always changing his ways and became very independent going off by himself in search of his wild brother. "The blood-longing became stronger than ever before. He was a killer, a thing that preyed, living on things that lived, unaided, alone, by virtue of his own strength and prowess, surviving triumphantly in a hostile environment where only the strong survive." (London 92) Buck became a popular dog that amazed many people, "'Never was there such a dog,' said John Thornton one day, as the partners watched Buck marching out of camp." (London 93) Buck commanded and got the respect from humans who were in awe of his physical and mental traits that were special.
"The temperature dropped to fifty below zero and remained there the whole trip." (London 55) the weather stayed harsh during the winter and the trials were not always easy to navigate. "The Thirty Mile River was comparatively coated with ice." (London 55) In some instances the traveling was very tough because the weight of the sled was greater, "It snowed every day. This meant a soft trial, greater friction on the runners, and heavier pulling for the dogs; yet the drivers were fair through it all, and did their best for the animals" (London 57) Later in the book the setting is not so harsh because summer occurs. Buck loved the summer, "But especially he loved to run in the dim twilight of the summer midnights, listening to the subdued and sleepy murmurs of the forest." (London 89) The harsh conditions gave way to more of the wilderness type setting further along in the story. The setting did not become as important and essential as when Buck was just getting used to being a sled dog. Buck's body and mind set became totally adapted for all situation in the wilderness. The setting did not affect him as much as in the beginning when he was used to living the easy life on a farm.
The theme survival of the fittest sums up Buck's journey. Buck was seen by the human's a wonder dog with had tremendous attributes both physically and mentally. He was the fittest of the dogs in the book. Buck was hungry to survive and to live. Buck always had a challenge and he worked to accomplish everything. For him to survive this lifestyle he needed to adapted and be flexible. Buck was a very strong-willed character who never gave up and always believed he could do anything and was willing to do anything to survive. Even though Buck is a dog, humans can relate to his mind-set. Humans live by survival of the fittest everyday as they are constantly tested by each other to see who is the best at something. Buck was tested everyday to see if he could survive, and if he was tough enough to live out in nature even though he was accustom to a leisurely lifestyle. Buck was molded into a fierce dog by the conditions, and interactions with other characters. Buck stood up to the other dogs in fights, and was beaten by masters. Many of the humans found out that Buck was a special dog and his worth rose as the story went on. Buck needed to be the fittest dog to survive and he was.
Buck development as a character was closely related to the setting, which in turn resulted in the theme of survival of the fittest. Buck need to be strong to survive, and this is shown through his character development and adaptability to the settings he is put in. Buck was molded as a character by other dogs, humans, and a heavy work load that tested all of the dogs' wills. Buck had huge heart and a strong will that in the end proved that he was fit enough to survive.