CHAPTER SUMMARY AND NOTES

PART V

Chapter 1

Summary

In this chapter, Weedon Scott prepares to leave for California, his home, knowing he must leave White Fang behind. White Fang senses the impending separation and refuses to eat again. Scott is concerned about the wolf-dog, but he is afraid he will never be tame enough to live in California.

The day Scott is to leave, White Fang is at his heels all the time. Two Indians come and pick up the luggage and take it to the steamboat, Aurora, which is packed with adventurers and gold seekers. Scott then departs, locking White Fang in the cabin until he has safely sailed away. White Fang, however, breaks free through the window and later appears on board the ship. Scott, seeing such devotion, finally decides to take him along, despite Matt's warning that the California climate will not suit White Fang.

Notes

White Fang is on the verge of losing his new master, who is preparing to leave for his home in California. White Fang senses impending danger and grows totally depressed; he refuses to eat and audibly cries in a human-like way. Scott feels terrible about leaving White Fang behind, but he believes the wolf-dog could never adjust to life in California; he also fears he would kill all his other dogs and drive his master to bankruptcy with damage suits.

Because he feels terrible about White Fang, Scott is on edge, snapping at Matt. When White Fang begins to howl with displeasure, Matt is sure that White Fang will quickly die in Scott's absence. Both men are amazed, however, that White Fang has sensed the impending departure.

Before leaving, Scott pets White Fang tenderly, but the wolf-dog refuses to growl his typical friendly growl. When Scott leaves White Fang behind, locked in the cabin until he sails away, a determined White Fang jumps out the window and boards the boat. Scott ultimately decides to take White Fang along after he realizes his blind devotion.

Chapter 2

Summary

When White Fang reaches San Francisco, he is chained in a cage and put on a baggage cart; he is amazed at the sight of the tall buildings, crowded streets, and horse carts. When they arrive at Scott's country home, they are greeted by Scott's mother, who warmly embraces her son.

White Fang sees this as a hostile act and starts to snarl at Scott's mother. Scott has to control the wolf-dog. When White Fang finally goes off to explore his new home, he encounters Collie, the indignant sheepdog, and is attacked by the deerhound, Dick. These animals have no reason to fear White Fang.

Notes

The city is totally strange to White Fang. A sense of bewilderment overtakes him, and he stays close to his master, for fear of being lost. White Fang's response of rage when he sees Scott's mother embrace him is almost comic, but it reminds the reader of how protective White Fang is of his new master.

At Scott's country home, White Fang encounters dogs everywhere he goes. He first meets Collie, the sheepdog, who is highly apprehensive about this newcomer. White Fang does not attack at first, but then Collie stands in his way no matter where he goes and does not allow him to follow the master into his carriage. White Fang finally turns on the sheepdog and strikes her squarely; she cries with hurt and indignation. White Fang also fights Dick, a deerhound, but Collie intervenes to save his life. His father, Judge Scott, suggests that they leave Dick and White Fang to fight it out, but Scott only laughs at the suggestion; he knows that White Fang is a killer wolf.

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