The Call of the Wild

by Jack London

The Call of the Wild: Idioms 1 key example

Definition of Idiom

An idiom is a phrase that conveys a figurative meaning that is difficult or impossible to understand based solely on a literal interpretation of the words in the phrase. For... read full definition
An idiom is a phrase that conveys a figurative meaning that is difficult or impossible to understand based solely on a literal interpretation of the... read full definition
An idiom is a phrase that conveys a figurative meaning that is difficult or impossible to understand based solely on... read full definition
Chapter 6: For the Love of Man
Explanation and Analysis—Totem Pole:

In Chapter 6, London uses an idiom alluding to the cultures of American Indian and First Nations peoples in the Northwest:

That winter, at Dawson, Buck performed another exploit, not so heroic, perhaps, but one that put his name many notches higher on the totem-pole of Alaskan fame.