Final answer:
Jack London's 'The Call of the Wild' adeptly embodies the theme that human beings and their connection to work, intelligence, mushing, and the North are related to the overarching theme of the struggle between man and nature, affirming this relationship as true.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Jack London's The Call of the Wild, the theme of men and their relationship with work, intelligence, mushing, and the North is intricately woven into the narrative. This statement is true, as the novel explores humanity's place in the natural world and the idea that despite social constructs, humans and animals alike revert to their primal instincts when faced with the harsh realities of the wilderness. The conditions in the North are brutal, and as such, require a certain level of intelligence and adaptability, which is demonstrated through mushing and other survival tactics.
The novel tells the story of Buck, a domestic dog who is forced into the life of a sled dog in Canada. Here, he encounters difficult work and must learn to survive under brutal conditions. The novel reflects upon London's views of humanity's relationship with nature and how we are shaped by our environmental struggles.
The story, which is set in the Klondike region during the gold rush era, poses questions on whether human beings truly belong in such a punishing environment. The challenges that the characters face highlight their inner conflicts, and Buck's journey from domestication to embracing his wild instincts showcases the struggle between nature and nurture—a foundational aspect of the literary naturalism movement.