White Fang

White Fang

by

Jack London

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White Fang: Part 2, Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
The she-wolf and One Eye linger about the camp, until a gunshot scares them off. The she-wolf finds what she is looking for—a cave in the forest. While the she-wolf rests in the lair, One Eye grows restless with hunger and ventures outside.
The she-wolf's search for a cave in the forest shows the resurfacing of her feral instincts. By pursuing the cave, she obeys her instincts and nature's call.
Themes
Domestic Yearnings v. Natural Instinct Theme Icon
When One Eye returns to the cave, he discovers that his mate has given birth to a litter of pups. He approaches them, but the she-wolf, fearing that One Eye will eat her pups, snarls at him. One Eye obeys the she-wolf's warning, following his fatherly instincts by going out to hunt on the trail.
Instinct governs the violent actions of mother and father alike. The she-wolf defends her pups because she instinctually distrusts One Eye, while One Eye obeys the mandates of fatherhood by going out to hunt and kill.
Themes
The Struggle for Survival Theme Icon
Mating and Parenthood Theme Icon
Quotes
On the trail, One Eye notices a meaty porcupine, but passes it over in favor of an easier target, a ptarmigan, or chicken-like bird. Carrying the bird back with him to the cave, he notices the porcupine and the lynx in a tense faceoff. The lynx pounces, piercing itself on the spiny creature's quills and running away. One Eye waits until the injured porcupine dies of exhaustion, picks it up with his teeth, and takes it to the cave for his mate and cubs to eat.
The faceoff between the lynx and porcupine highlights the intense struggle between creatures for survival and life. One Eye capitalizes on this struggle to perpetuate his own survival and that of his family. Thus survival is not only marked by struggle and competition, but also chance and opportunity.
Themes
The Struggle for Survival Theme Icon