Chapter+Five

 **Chapter 5 ** **__Discussion Questions __**  **__Vocabulary __** 
 * __The Toil of Trace and Trail __**
 * · After a month on the trail, Buck and the rest of the team were exhausted. But, instead of receiving the rest they needed and deserved, they were sold to greenhorns from the United States. Hal, Charles, and Mercedes were weak, inexperienced, and foolish. They did not listen to the experienced drivers but left town with the team still weak and exhausted. Early in the trip they overfed the dogs to try to strengthen them. This resulted in their having to underfeed the dogs later in the trip. Several of the new team dogs starved and the experienced dogs suffered horribly under the men’s callous care. When they reached John Thornton’s camp, the dogs were near the end of their stamina, and the trail was deteriorating. Ignoring Thornton’s advice not to go, they prepared to head out into treacherous ice. Buck refused to go any farther due to exhaustion and a feeling of “impending doom.” Hal whipped and beat Buck nearly to death until John Thornton saved him. Watching together, Thornton and Buck witnessed the remaining members of the team and their foolish human disappear into the black water as the ice gave way.
 * · Reread London’s first description of Hal and Charles. What do you think will happen to them based on this initial description?
 * · What was Mercedes’ reaction when experienced men went through her belongings to lighten the load? What does this say about her and her relationship with her husband and brother?
 * · Compare Charles, Hal, and Mercedes to any other characters you’ve met in other books, movies, plays, television shows, or real life. What traits did Buck have that allowed him to adapt to the north that they lacked?
 * · Why do you think London included these three characters in this book? What do they represent?
 * · Why did Buck refuse to rise and lead the team? What did he have that his masters lacked?
 * · **__<span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: aqua none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Salient __**: important
 * · <span style="color: #0c00ff; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**__<span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: aqua none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Callow __**: inexperienced, immature
 * · <span style="color: #0c00ff; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**__<span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: aqua none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Chaffering __**: discussion, bickering
 * · <span style="color: #0c00ff; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**__<span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: aqua none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Apprehensively __**: with nervousness and fear
 * · <span style="color: #0c00ff; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**__<span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: aqua none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Remonstrance __**: argument; objection
 * · <span style="color: #0c00ff; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**__<span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: aqua none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Averred __**: claimed; avowed
 * · <span style="color: #0c00ff; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**__<span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: aqua none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Jaded __**: dulled, satiated
 * · <span style="color: #0c00ff; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**__<span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: aqua none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Voracious __**: dulled, satiated
 * · <span style="color: #0c00ff; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**__<span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: aqua none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Cajole __**: convince
 * · <span style="color: #0c00ff; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**__<span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: aqua none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Innocuously __**: harmlessly
 * · <span style="color: #0c00ff; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**__<span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: aqua none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Terse __**: concise, brief
 * · <span style="color: #0c00ff; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**__<span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: aqua none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Inarticulate __**: tongue-tied