Final answer:
Buck's surroundings in 'The Call of the Wild' change from a tamed household to the wilderness, illustrating his journey from domestication to embracing his natural instincts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The transition in Buck's environment from the beginning to the end of Chapter 1 in Jack London's The Call of the Wild reflects a shift from domestication to wilderness. At the start, Buck is in a comfortable and tamed household, illustrating his domesticated life. By the end of the chapter, after being kidnapped and taken to the Klondike, Buck enters an environment that is untamed and raw, signifying his initial steps towards the wild, which is more aligned with option d: Domestication vs. wilderness.
Comparing Buck's environments underscores the theme of transformation and adaptation. It is not only about the physical changes but also about the psychological shifts that Buck must endure and overcome as part of his survival. The book profoundly explores the impact of environment on character and the intrinsic call of nature versus the comforts of a controlled life.