Brown wolves. Summary and main characters of Jack London's story "The Brown Wolf"

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Brown wolves are one of the main themes in the work of the famous American writer Jack London. He traveled a lot around Alaska in search of gold mines, but instead of gold, he found plots there for his fascinating and vital stories, novels and novels. Very often, the main characters of his books were animals, primarily wild dogs and wolves. It was they who symbolized freedom, independence and pride in the author's works.

Short description

Brown wolves are a special kind of wild dog that is half predator, half pet. This is exactly the main character of the writer's story. This short story was included in his collection Love for Life (1907). This work is one of his early compositions.

Against the background of other major works of the author, it is considered not very famous, but it deserves no less attention, since it can be used to trace the features of the author's writing style. Brown wolves are not uncommon in North America. They were used in the far north and in the central states as sled dogs. That was the fate of the mainstory character.

Intro

At the beginning of his work, Jack London introduces readers to a happy young married couple who have a wild dog, which they called among themselves "Wolf". The writer briefly but very expressively paints a picture of their homeliness. From the very beginning, we learn that young people do not live well, very simply, but very happy.

Husband, W alt Irwin is a poet, his wife, Madge, is a housewife. They have a small cottage in a very scenic area, which seems to be W alt's inspiration.

Description of the hero

Brown wolves are a special breed of animals that are remarkable both for their appearance and character. The main character has a very specific appearance, which, as it were, emphasizes the inconsistency of his nature. It is all covered with brown hair, but it has white spots on its paws and belly. His ears were slightly frostbite, which immediately betrayed his difficult past in the North. His grin was wide, but he never barked and only growled. He was extremely hardy and physically strong. The wolf was able to reach very high speeds and cover hundreds of miles a day. Outwardly, he resembled a wild dog, but his habits seemed like a real wolf.

Character

Jack London has always depicted animals as living people. He very subtly and accurately conveyed their psychological experiences, which are very similar to human feelings. Therefore, his stories about animals were so popular withreaders. The wolf, who lived with the Irwins, was extremely obstinate and wayward.

He was stubborn and did not respond to the caresses of the people who sheltered him. At any attempt to caress, he only growled and scared away not only the neighbors, but even the owners themselves. The beast proved to be extremely persistent in its thrust northward. Several times he escaped from the Irwins and rushed north. This wild irrepressible thirst for freedom did not leave him even when the young spouses managed to tame him. However, remaining with his masters, he retained his reserved and unsociable disposition. It took a very long time before they managed to win him over.

Hero Background

The story "The Brown Wolf", a summary of which is the subject of this review, is written in the best traditions of the writer London. One of the main themes in his work is the idea of freedom, which was possible only in the wild. The protagonist of the story unexpectedly appeared at the Irvine cottage. He was wounded and very thin. They fed him, and after a while the beast ran away. About a year later, W alt discovered him in another state and brought him back home. The couple fed him again and went out, but the wolf was drawn to freedom and, barely recovering, he again went north.

Many times he was caught and returned, and another year passed before he reconciled himself and remained in the house of his new owners. In the work "Brown Wolf", the summary of which should includecharacterization of his relationship with the Irvines, the author focuses on how difficult it was for the spouses to gain his trust. He did not immediately allow himself to be caressed, and when he got used to it, he expressed his gratitude very restrainedly, which is shown at the very beginning of the work. It was clear from everything that the Wolf had not forgotten his past life and, although he became attached to new people, he yearned for his former owner.

Life of the Irwins

Separately, mention should be made of the lifestyle of the spouses. They did not live well, but in abundance. The main source of their income was roy alties from the publishing house, which W alt received for his poems. With this money, the couple lived economically, but quite comfortably. They provided for themselves and their beloved pet. Their house was located in the South of the mainland.

More than once the author emphasizes this circumstance in the story "The Brown Wolf". Irwin's address is even accurate: California, Sonoma, Glen Ellen Street. By indicating this address, the writer probably wanted to emphasize the difference in the old and new life of his hero. Indeed, from the very beginning it is clear that Brown came from the North, where living conditions were extremely harsh and difficult. With his new owners, he lived a well-fed and calm life, although a lot of time passed before he came to terms with his new existence. He still had a love for his homeland, and it took a whole year for him to get used to his new place. Much of the credit for this goes to the Irwins themselves, who put in a lot of effort to gain his trust.

However, in the first part of the story, the author shows that they had to save money from time to time in order to buy the necessary products. However, the beast did not know the need for anything, since both loved him and looked after him well. Thus, the brown wolf is almost accustomed to the domestic lifestyle. The theme of the work, however, constantly brings the reader back to his past.

Ties

The unexpected appearance of a sudden guest disrupts the habitual and calm way of life of the Irwin married couple. One day, near their cottage, they meet a traveler who looked like a traveler. His appearance is in sharp contrast to young people. He was stern and seemed like a hardened man. At first glance, one could conclude that he traveled a lot, that his life was difficult and harsh. When meeting with him, the brown wolf behaved in the most unexpected way. The description of the wolf at the time of the meeting deserves special mention.

At the sight of this man, who called himself Skiff Miller, he whined for the first time, which meant that he was extremely glad to this meeting. The surprised young people did not immediately realize that this stern man was the owner of their pet. Skiff said that the real name of the beast is Brown. He was his favorite and ran in a dog sled as a leader. He was considered the best dog, as he was faithful, devoted to his master, was extremely hardy, could cover long distances in a short period of time. The traveler's story struckIrvinov.

Skiff's Story

One of London's finest, though not too famous, stories is the story "The Brown Wolf". Who defended the rights of the wolf is, perhaps, the main question that the writer poses in his story. Skiff's story shows that this man's beast led a harsh working life, full of hardships, anxieties and troubles. Once the owner himself, finding himself in the cold without food, almost ate his own pet. Fortunately, at that time he came across a wild elk, and this saved the Wolf.

However, from the traveler's story, the reader learns that the beast was happy being with his master. He was devoted to him and truly loved him, despite the harsh treatment and difficult life. It was not for nothing that at an unexpected meeting he rushed to meet him and was the first to allow himself to be caressed, which had never happened before. Skiff also said that many travelers showed interest in his pet, as he was strong and hardy. But he protected the dog in his own way, as he did not sell him even for very large sums.

Hero relationship with Skiff

The work "Brown Wolf" is dedicated to the drama of this hero, who, at the time of the appearance of his first, but now former owner, faced a very difficult choice. He had become very attached to the Irwins, although he did not express his feelings too violently. He was very reserved with them and did not allow himself to be caressed much. However, Wolf fell in love with W alt and even got used to Madge after a while. But at the same time, he was very happy to meet Skiff. The latter stated that he raised him and went out as his own child,looked after him, spent the last money for his food. Twice they offered a lot of money for him, but Skiff refused, because he loved him. According to Miller, he was the smartest and sharpest in the whole team. The heroes of the story "The Brown Wolf" began to argue for the right to keep the smart dog.

Development of action

The couple and Miller argued for a while about who would take the dog in. Each of them felt en titled to adopt a dog in their home. Their dialogue is interesting in that two worldviews that are completely opposite to each other clashed in it. From Skiff's remarks, we learn that he never thought about the feelings of his pet, being sure that the dog was happy with him and that he did not need another life. Madge reasoned differently. She spoke of the dog's right to make his choice. Of particular interest is the clash of two views on life in the work "The Brown Wolf". The main idea of the work is the assertion of the right to freedom, which, according to the writer, everyone has, even a running dog. Skiff was sure that with him the dog would still be happy. Madge also argued that the dog deserved peace and a quiet, well-fed life after all the trials that she had to endure during that difficult time when she ran in a team. W alt supported his wife, and Skiff, after some deliberation, was forced to agree with her. So, all three decided to give the Wolf the right to choose, and this decision turned out to be fatal for all participants in the dispute.

Climax

The scene of choosing the owner of the dog is perhaps the strongest in the story "The Brown Wolf". The writer is veryvividly and believably described his feelings and experiences. The dog behaved like a living person who is forced to be torn between loved ones. It is in this scene that the reader sees how strongly the dog has become attached to the Irwins. He caressed them, as if begging to stay with him. However, all three agreed not to lure him to their side in any way, and to pretend to be indifferent so that the choice of the beast would be as "impartial" as possible.

It is both hard and painful to read those lines in which the author described the throwing and torment of the wolf, who was looking for help and support from each of those present. He seemed to be looking for support from both Skiff and the Irwins. However, the first one with visible indifference and indifference left the cottage, and W alt pretended to be indifferent to everything that was happening. The only one who tried to stop the dog was Madge. However, she fell silent under the commanding gaze of her husband. Such behavior determined the decision of Bury, who in such a situation behaved as only a beast accustomed to freedom and independence could act.

Decoupling

The writer London described the character of his hero very truthfully. "Brown Wolf" is a story that is dedicated to revealing the image of a dog, which the author describes as a person. Having received no support from either Skiff or the Irwins, the dog rushed forward into the forest. He did not stay with any of them, and such a decision proves the irrepressible thirst for freedom in him. The author describes in detail the behavior of his character, who gradually and slowly picked up speed as he approached the cherished goal. In this final passage, the dog finally found the desired will. He refusedattachments to both Skiff and the Irwins. These people mistreated him when they rejected him at the most difficult moment of his life. So he chose to be alone. This is precisely the freedom-loving pathos of the whole work.

Idea

The homeland of the wolf from the story "The Brown Wolf" largely determines the whole meaning of the story. The fact is that he lived all his life in the Klondike Valley. This is the name of the river in Canada. The local area was considered gold-bearing, but it was difficult for those travelers who went in search of metal. However, according to Stiff, Brown was happy when he ran in a team and shared with the owner all the difficulties of his life. Miller himself was so attached to him that after his disappearance he went in search of him. That free wild life that the Wolf led in the north made him so unsociable. The nature of the beast was difficult, but the stronger and stronger were his attachments to those people who helped him in difficult times. However, he was too independent, and therefore, when the three owners refused to give him advice or help, he rushed into the forest, apparently determined to live his own way. In this situation, the author's sympathies are entirely on the side of the dog. The author emphasizes that he had no other choice, and at the same time he respected his decision, which at the moment seemed to be the only correct one. This smart dog simply could not do otherwise. None of those present supported her. Brown was subjected to a terrible test, from which he emerged victorious.

The writer focuses the reader's attention on the fact that this beast is sowild by nature, turned out to be wiser than people. Moral truth remained on the side of this dog, who behaved as his conscience told him, while his owners hid their true feelings from him, forcing him to decide his own fate. In fact, their argument was selfish. And although readers cannot doubt the sincere desire of W alt and Madge to keep their beloved pet, just as they cannot doubt Skiff's love for him, nevertheless, we understand that they acted extremely unfairly towards the unfortunate animal. Undoubtedly, they should somehow agree among themselves and not torment him with such a severe test, which turned out to be beyond his strength.

It is difficult to find a definition of their behavior in this case. Each acted with the best of intentions, but the way they chose turned out to be unworthy of them. Perhaps this applies especially to Skiff, who at the beginning of his appearance seemed to be a direct, honest person, alien to all sorts of tricks of this kind. As for the Irwins, it was perhaps an understandable act on their part. It should also be remembered that it was Madge who suggested such a test. Perhaps she did not fully understand how inappropriate it was to subject an animal to such a severe test. W alt at first almost decided to end this dispute by force. He and Skiff seem to be ready to fight for the right to own the wolf. In this scene, each of the participants forgot that they were dealing with a creature of very vulnerable nature, who finds it difficult to choose between the past and the present. It is not surprising, therefore, that all the sympathiesthe author is entirely on the side of Bury. His simple attitude towards life turned out to be as wise as life itself is wise. Perhaps this ending will seem unexpected, since one could expect that the Wolf would still rush after his old master, with whom he spent most of his life. Others might have thought that he would stay with the Irwins. But after reading the work, there can be no doubt that this is how this story should have ended.