Major Themes
Critics have identified many underlying themes in the novel. Tom Feller describes the story as “an allegory of humanity’s progression from nature to civilization." He also expresses that “the implication is that the metamorphosis of both the individual and society will require violence at some point." Paul Deane states that “ society demands a conformity that undermines individualism." Jack London himself took influence from Herbert Spencer’s words: “survival of the fittest”, as well as Friedrich Nietzsche’s idea of a “superman” (or “superdog”, in this instance) and of “the worship of power."
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