Answer:
Desperation and the struggle to survive. He is in a harsh environment and every person and animal must strive to survive the elements.
Step-by-step explanation:
White Fang has the instinct to survive and is used to dealing with what nature throws his way. His natural instinct is to hunt and fight. White Fang does not want to be a pet; he is there to do a job and he knows what he is supposed to do in order to survive. Man does not always acknowledge that he may not know all of the ways in which to fight and hunt to survive.
It is very interesting to note that both of these characters change throughout the story. It is as if White Fang gave up his independence for a life with his man. This is actually a type of "social order" that these animals would have. White Fang gives up his independence to become domesticated. Loved. Petted. Trained, not tamed.