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Part 4, Chapter 5
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in White Fang, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Struggle for Survival
Domestic Yearnings v. Natural Instinct
Nature v. Nurture
Mastery
Domestication
Mating and Parenthood
Summary
Analysis
A day later, Scott approaches White Fang, who expects a punishment for having bitten this "god." Even though White Fang growls lowly, Scott speaks to him in a soft and gentle voice and tosses him a piece of meat. Scott offers White Fang another piece of meat, but will not let go of it, until White Fang eats it from his hand. Cautiously, White Fang gradually eats the meat from Scott's hand.
Scott shows kindness towards White Fang by feeding him by hand and talking to him in a gentle voice. This is the first time that White Fang has experienced human kindness, so he growls in distrust. Scott gains White Fang's trust not by violent force, but through a gesture of kindness.
Themes
Scott reaches out his hand to pet White Fang. Battling with his natural instincts, White Fang bristles and snarls at his master's touch, but reluctantly assents to being caressed, gradually enjoying his master's show of affection.
Under Scott's care, White Fang's fondness for his master slowly transforms into love. He regards him as "love-master." His adoration grows so great that he guards Scott's cabin against intruders and learns to run in the traces of Matt's sled.
In the late spring, Scott leaves on a trip, without warning White Fang. He worries over his master's disappearance. The days come and go, but Scott does not return.
White Fang's worry over Scott shows his deep love and devotion to his new master. This show of love displays his domestication.
Themes
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Scott reads a letter in Circle City from Matt, telling him that White Fang is suffering away from his master's care. Scott returns and White Fang greets him warmly, snuggling with his master for the first time, and rapidly recovering.
White Fang's love and devotion for Scott is so great that he becomes sick for his master when he goes way. Scott is equally devoted to White Fang— he returns when his dog is in need.
Themes
One night Matt and Scott hear a cry and snarl from outside. They discover that White Fang has taken down an intruder. It is Beauty Smith. He came with a club and chain to steal White Fang.
By striking down his old master, White Fang affirms the mastery of his new one. It also seems to symbolize White Fang's escape from the law of the club and chain into a relationship of care and mutual trust with Scott.
Themes
