chapter 3 the dominant primordial beast

In this section of the novel, Buck comes into his own. When we first met Buck, at the Judge's home, he is benign and mild-mannered, lacking in any real character. As Buck's wildness grows, he reveals his character to the reader. He is sneaky, subtle and intelligent. He desires dominance, but he knows better than to seek it out until the right moment. Buck not only instinctively sees means for survival, he exploits his understanding of the other dogs and their human leaders.