Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
The breaking down of discipline likewise affected the dogs in their relations with one another. They quarrelled and bickered more than ever among themselves, till at times the camp was a howling bedlam: Dave and Sol-leks alone were unaltered, though they were made irritable by the unending squabbling.
(i) What led to the break-down of discipline in the dog team?
Show SolutionHide Solution↓
The insidious revolt led by Buck.
How did it affect the relationship among the dogs?
- The dogs quarrelled and bickered often.
- At times they were so noisy that the camp was like a bedlam.
(ii) What other acts of indiscipline did Buck’s encouragement lead to?
- One night Pike robbed some fish from Spitz and gulped it down under Buck’s protection.
- Another time Dub and Joe fought Spitz and forced him to forego the punishment they deserved.
- Even good – natured Billee was less good natured and did not whine so placatingly
- Spitz lost his aura – no longer feared and respected
- Buck would snarl and bristle / swagger every time he was near Spitz. (Any three)
(iii) What started the dogs off on a chase after supper one night at the mouth of the river Tahkeena?
- Dub unearthed a snow rabbit, blundered and missed.
- In a second the whole team was in full cry.
- Fifty dogs from a nearby Northwest Police camp joined the chase.
(iv) Who led the dogs in the chase?
Buck
What primitive urge did Buck experience during the chase?
- Running down the wild thing (rabbit) – the living meat
- The desire to kill with his own teeth and wash his muzzle to the eyes in blood.
(v) How did Spitz use the chase to try and outwit Buck?
- Spitz left the pack and cut across a narrow neck of land where the creek made a long bend around.
- Spitz hurled himself at Buck at the very moment that Buck make his kill (rabbit).
- Buck was taken by surprise – absorbed in the hunt he had not anticipated Spitz attack
What does this reveal of Spitz’s nature?
Personal Response – Spitz proved to be cold and calculating / shrewd even in the thick of a chase / Spitz was fighting for his survival as an alpha male. (Any other plausible answer)