Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in White Fang, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Struggle for Survival
Domestic Yearnings v. Natural Instinct
Nature v. Nurture
Mastery
Domestication
Mating and Parenthood
Summary
Analysis
White Fang's "allegiance" to man strengthens as he runs about the Indian camp, learning to live under the mastery of humans. He obeys their calls and their clubs, gradually giving himself over "body and soul" to man's authority.
Lip-lip bullies White Fang to no end, curtailing White Fang's puppyish aspect and compelling him to develop a cunning and mischievous character.
Lip-lip's bullying takes away White Fang's playfulness, setting him towards developing a sly, bitter character.
Themes
One day White Fang and Kiche stray to the edge of the forest, where they hear the wild's call. But the call of man is stronger, so Kiche returns to camp, leading her pup away from the wilderness.
Gray Beaver sells Kiche off to another Indian to pay off a debt. In terror at losing his mother, White Fang jumps into the water to pursue Kiche, as she's taken aboard a canoe. Gray Beaver, in his canoe, overtakes the pup, using his hand to lift White Fang out of the water and give him the worst beating he has ever experienced. White Fang shows his teeth, biting Gray Beaver's foot. But White Fang submits to his master's subsequent blows, learning never to bite, nor stray from his master.
Through a violent beating, Gray Beaver asserts his mastery over White Fang. In spite of this violence, White Fang still shows his wild instincts to fight and bite. But Gray Beaver's violence—his greater power—overcomes White Fang's urge to defend him self. Instead, violence teaches him to be submissive and obey his master.
Themes
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