Read this excerpt from The Call of the Wild by Jack London.
How does Buck's behavior support the theme "one must
lead with a firm hand"?
O Buck learns quickly because Dave never nips without
cause.
Buck had been purposely placed between Dave and Sol-
leks so that he might receive instruction. Apt scholar that
he was, they were equally apt teachers, never allowing
him to linger long in error, and enforcing their teaching
with their sharp teeth. Dave was fair and very wise. He
never nipped Buck without cause, and he never failed to
nip him when he stood in need of it. As Francois's whip
backed him up, Buck found it to be cheaper to mend his
ways than to retaliate. Once, during a brief halt, when he
got tangled in the traces and delayed the start, both
Dave and Sol-leks flew at him and administered a sound
trouncing. The resulting tangle was even worse, but
Buck took good care to keep the traces clear thereafter;
and ere the day was done, so well had he mastered his
work, his mates about ceased nagging him. Francois's
whip snapped less frequently, and Perrault even honored
O Buck becomes a leader because other dogs respect
his authority.
O Buck learns quickly because his teachers are strict
and unforgiving
O Buck excels because he remembers the man with
the red sweater.
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