Look at who has more going for him– the man or the dog? Make a list of what London says each one has in this man vs. nature story. Why is the dog better suited for the environment? Why does London have the story end with the dog trotting casually off to the next place where there are food providers and fire providers? What is London’s point about the frailty of man? What is his point of view about the universe? Is it personified as friendly or as cold and objective? Look at how the man is handicapped by his pride and refusal to listen to others who are more experienced about surviving in that harsh climate.

Well, the book is about a young person who is very scattered and unfocused. He only thinks in the here-and-now, and he spends his time on unimportant things rather than on what he knows he has to do. He waits until the last minute, and then tries to get other people to bail him out. He needs to get his priorities in order. Oh, wait, that would be you. Sorry, I was confused.

talk about how bravely and peacefully he approached death after accepting his fate… how drastically his viewpoint on death changed throughout the story…