Who John Thornton is
John Thornton offers Buck a different kind of human companionship in the harsh world of the north. He is an experienced prospector whose kindness contrasts with the cruelty and carelessness Buck encounters among other masters.
Thornton shows that a relationship with a person can rest on something other than fear or obedience.
John Thornton and the others in the story
Thornton treats Buck as a friend, and Buck responds with a powerful devotion. Their bond brings love and loyalty into a story shaped by hunger, cold and the struggle to survive.
Buck's attachment to Thornton gives the pull of the wild a counterweight, raising the question of where Buck belongs.
Questions
Who is John Thornton?
John Thornton is a kind prospector who forms a close bond with Buck.
How does John Thornton treat Buck?
He treats Buck with genuine kindness and friendship, earning a loyalty unlike that given to Buck's other masters.
Why is John Thornton important to Buck?
Thornton gives Buck a bond of love that stands alongside his growing attraction to the wild.
