Final answer:
The stories "Stray" and "Lone Dog" share themes of survival and resilience, with main ideas revolving around the animal protagonists' struggles and their contrasting relationships with humans. Both narratives contain elements of Realistic or Naturalistic fiction, which is evident in the detailed imagery of the environment and the comparison between humans and animals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Main Ideas and Supporting Evidence in "Stray" and "Lone Dog"
The stories "Stray" and "Lone Dog" both depict the theme of survival and resilience in the face of adversity. In "Stray", a dog must navigate the harshness of winter and the indifference of humans to find a home. The supporting evidence for this includes the dog's persistent search for shelter and food despite the cold and lack of human compassion. On the other hand, "Lone Dog" presents a similar struggle through the eyes of a wolf-dog companion, but also focuses on the stark contrast between the animal's natural instincts and the man's ignorance of his environment.
Both stories represent elements of Realistic or Naturalistic fiction through their depiction of characters grappling with their environment. In Jack London's narrative, the precise and rich imagery used to describe the Yukon setting raises questions about human's place in nature and their struggle against extreme cold, implying that human beings may not belong there. The human character's lack of preparedness and the dog's superior adaptability provide a stark comparison that underlines the man's estrangement from the environment.
The idea of the hero is explored and, to some extent, subverted in both narratives. Neither the stray dog nor the wolf-dog are traditional heroes, yet their resilience and instincts highlight qualities that could be considered heroic in the struggle for survival. In terms of freedom, the two narratives address the concept differently through their canine protagonists, demonstrating their innate desire for self-determination and contrasting it with the human characters' notions of control and power.