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Prompt 01

Essay task

AP LiteratureCommon Core ElaIB Language & Literature

In The Call of the Wild, Jack London depicts Buck's transformation from a domesticated pet to a wild creature driven by instinct as a process shaped by his environment, the need for survival, and his primal identity. Write a well-organized essay arguing that Buck's gradual acceptance of "the call of the wild" illustrates London's larger idea that civilization is just a thin layer covering a more profound, untameable natural self. Use specific evidence from the novel — including Buck's relationships, his physical and psychological changes, and critical turning-point scenes — to bolster your argument.

Consider addressing the following in your essay

  • How do Buck's encounters with violence, hardship, and the Klondike wilderness strip away his domesticated behaviors?
  • What roles do characters like John Thornton and Spitz play in Buck's transformation?
  • How does London employ imagery, symbolism (e.g., the fire, the wolf pack), and narrative perspective to strengthen his thematic argument?
  • What does Buck's ultimate choice reveal about London's perspective on nature compared to civilization?

Requirements

  • Develop a clear, debatable thesis in your introduction.
  • Support your argument with at least three pieces of textual evidence.
  • Engage with at least one counterargument (e.g., that Buck's transformation signifies loss rather than liberation).
  • Conclude by linking London's theme to a broader human or philosophical question.

Prompt 02

Essay task

AP LiteratureCommon Core ElaIB Language & Literature

In The Call of the Wild, Jack London portrays Buck's evolution from a domesticated pet to a wild, instinctual being to suggest that civilization is just a superficial layer over our deeper, primal instincts. Write a well-organized essay arguing that Buck's transformation illustrates London's larger point that the drive for survival and freedom outweighs the limitations imposed by civilization. Use specific evidence from the novel — including Buck's relationships, significant conflicts, and symbolic moments — to back up your argument.

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