Final answer:
In Jack London's 'The Call of the Wild,' readers learn about human nature through the portrayal of animal instincts, the bond between humans and animals, and the impact of civilization on the wilderness, all under the lens of Naturalistic philosophy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The novel The Call of the Wild by Jack London offers insight into human nature through several thematic explorations. One significant element is through its portrayal of animal instincts and survival, emphasizing the elemental struggle and resilience within both animals and humans. The character of Buck, a dog taken from a comfortable life and thrust into the brutal conditions of the Klondike, reflects an inner journey from domestication back to his wild origins. This transformation can be seen as a metaphor for the human condition, highlighting the bond between humans and animals as well as the intrinsic wilderness within human beings.
The Call of the Wild also comments on the impact of civilization on the wilderness, drawing attention to how human actions can disrupt the natural world. It showcases the struggle for survival in an environment where human societal expectations and civilized norms are stripped away, leaving characters to rely on their baser instincts. The story's setting and the characters' interactions with it pose the question of humans' place in the natural world; do they belong in such an inhospitable landscape, and what are they truly struggling against? London's Yukon is depicted as a location where the grandeur of the natural world dwarfs human endeavor, underlining nature's indifference to human aspirations.
Central to London's narrative is a Naturalistic perspective of life, an approach that views characters as being shaped primarily by their environment, heredity, and the basic instincts rather than by free will or conscious decision. This perspective can be contrasted with more optimistic views of human nature, such as notions of innate goodness or morality. Ultimately, Jack London's book teaches about human nature through the resilience of the animal spirit and the harsh reality of the wilderness, suggesting that at the core, humans too are subjected to the primal call of the wild.