What is the role of themes and author’s figurative language in representing the process of change of the main characters in ‘White Fang’ and ‘The Call of the Wild’?

Bingöl, Yasemin (2012) What is the role of themes and author’s figurative language in representing the process of change of the main characters in ‘White Fang’ and ‘The Call of the Wild’? Other thesis, TED Ankara College Foundation High School.

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Abstract

In Jack London’s two well-known novels, ‘White Fang’ and ‘The Call of the Wild’, dogs that are trying to adapt themselves to new environmental conditions by using their hereditary qualities, are the main characters. Jack London creates two reverse processes of change. In ‘White Fang’, the wild wolf dog White Fang becomes civilised and tame in order to survive in his new life with humans. On the other hand in ‘The Call of the Wild’ tame half-breed Buck discovers his atavistic instincts and becomes a wild dog in order to survive in harsh conditions of nature. So, this essay investigates the following research question: ‘What is the role of themes and author’s figurative language in representing the process of change of the main characters in ‘White Fang’ and ‘The Call of the Wild’? The scope of my investigation is to make an analysis of these two opposite processes and show how Jack London supports them with themes and figurative language. Heredity is one of the major themes in both of the novels. White Fang and Buck manage to survive despite the new hard conditions because they carry the necessary qualities. The other major theme is survival of the fittest. White Fang and Buck survive because of their abilities to adapt themselves to new conditions and quick-learning. The figurative language is also very significant in representation of these two opposite processes. Nature imageries, personifications and Jack London’s diction support these processes of change. However, although White Fang and Buck’s processes are opposite to each other, Jack London doesn’t give any priorities to them. By creating two very similar plots, he actually shows that two processes are equally difficult. He tries to point out that heredity and adapting ability play the key roles in survival.

Item Type: Thesis (Other)
Additional Information: Supervisor’s name: Timothy DILNUTT, IB Notu: A
Uncontrolled Keywords: Jack London, White Fang, The Call of the Wild
Subjects: P Language and Literature > PR English literature
Depositing User: Kamil Çömlekçi
Date Deposited: 10 Jul 2012 10:34
Last Modified: 12 Apr 2019 09:23
URI: http://tedprints.tedankara.k12.tr/id/eprint/259

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