The Call of the Wild Friendship Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

Something wriggled under his feet. He sprang back, bristling and snarling, fearful of the unseen and unknown. But a friendly little yelp reassured him, and he went back to investigate. A whiff of warm air ascended to his nostrils, and there, curled up under the snow in a snug ball, lay Billee. He whined placatingly, squirmed and wriggled to show his good will and intentions, and even ventured, as a bribe for peace, to lick Buck's face with his warm wet tongue. (2.10)

Buck is consistently apprehensive to get close to other dogs.

Quote #2

At another time Spitz went through, dragging the whole team after him up to Buck, who strained backward with all his strength, his fore paws on the slippery edge and the ice quivering and snapping all around. But behind him was Dave, likewise straining backward, and behind the sled was François, pulling till his tendons cracked. (3.14)

Buck and his fellow dogs are necessarily forced into a companionship, as each one's success or failure is dependent on the others.

Quote #3

In the main they were the wild wolf husky breed. Every night, regularly, at nine, at twelve, at three, they lifted a nocturnal song, a weird and eerie chant, in which it was Buck's delight to join. (3.27)

Buck has camaraderie with the dogs pulling the sled, but also another parallel camaraderie with the wild wolves. The tension highlights his internal conflict