Question

Read the excerpt from "Husky-The Wolf Dog of the North."

This leaving the huskies to shift for themselves, gives rise to peculiar ethics in the North Land. A man who steals food
from another is shot down without mercy. But it is different in the case of the dogs. Should a man catch one, red-
handed, gorging his last piece of bacon, he may not shoot him. If he does, the dog's owner can come down upon him
for his value as a draught-animal. A miners' meeting usually settles the amount. Nor is this any insignificant sum, for
the prices of sled dogs range from one to five hundred dollars, and in times of need as high as a thousand.
Which best explains London's purpose for comparing the consequences of stealing for a man and for a husky?
O London uses the comparison to persuade readers that huskies sometimes steal food from humans.
O London uses the comparison to inform the reader that huskies are viewed as property worth money.
O London uses the comparison to entertain the reader with a story about a husky that stole bacon.
O London uses the comparison to inform the reader that humans and huskies are treated as equals.

Answer 1

The best explanation for London's purpose in comparing the consequences of stealing for a man and for a husky in the excerpt from "Husky-The Wolf Dog of the North" is:

•London uses the comparison to inform the reader that huskies are viewed as property worth money.

In the passage, London describes the ethics and consequences of stealing in the North Land. While stealing food from another human is met with severe consequences, the situation is different when it comes to dogs. If a person catches a dog stealing food, they are not allowed to shoot the dog. Instead, the owner of the dog can demand compensation for the dog's value as a draught-animal, which can be a significant sum of money. London emphasizes that sled dogs have a high monetary value, ranging from one to five hundred dollars and even reaching up to a thousand dollars in times of need.

By highlighting the economic value placed on huskies, London informs the reader that huskies are considered property worth money. This comparison serves to underscore the importance of sled dogs in the North Land and the unique ethical considerations associated with them. It provides insights into the cultural and economic dynamics of the region, where dogs hold significant value as working animals.