Red Dog vs. White Fang

Authors Avatar

A comparison of the ways by which both novels represent the relationships formed between humankind and canis lupus/canis familiaris.

It is often said that a dog is man’s best friend. ‘White Fang’ and ‘Red Dog’ both explore this concept in different ways; London’s ‘White Fang’ agrees with the notion by using a half-dog, half-wolf as the main character. White Fang is not easily tamed but eventually, after much cajoling and human influence, he is persuaded to become ‘man’s best friend’. Red Dog, however, is much his own character and enjoys both the solitary travelling life and the companionship of humans. An interesting cultural point is that ‘canis lupus’ is often feared and has been wiped out in many countries, whereas ‘canis familiaris’ are often preferential as pets than many other animals and generally generate a lot of affection from the surrounding humans. This could affect the differences between how the relationships are portrayed in White Fang and Red Dog.

In De Bernières’ novel, a significant episode occurs when Red Dog meets John, ‘the only person to whom he ever belonged’. All John does is shake Red Dog’s paw and they are both smitten. This is a realistic account of how animals seem to ‘choose’ their owner, rather than be chosen, rather like humans select their friends. It is almost like them choosing a pack-leader in the wild. The relationship that Red Dog has made when he meets John is one for life, and he really is John’s best friend. We can also see this in ‘White Fang’ when White Fang’s life is saved by Weedon Scott. By saving White Fang from the most hated human being that ever appeared in his life, it inspires devotion from the wolf-dog and a tendency to howl when Weedon is away on business. Even though Matt, Weedon’s assistant, is the one that spends most time with, and feeds, White Fang, it is still evident to the wolf who is boss. And, moreover, it is evident to the audience, in both these novels, who the ‘best friend’ has chosen.

Another similarity between the relationships between humankind and the canis family that occurs in both books is that White Fang and Red Dog form significant relationships with more than just their favourite characters. Red Dog, for example, meets Nancy, who ‘sat next to him whenever she liked.’ ‘There were not many others who dared to try it,’ which still shows the audience that Red Dog is a ‘picky’ character, but Nancy is a different relationship. However, it is revealed in the following chapter, ‘Nancy, Red Dog and John’, that John and Nancy bond over Red Dog, and briefly start seeing each other. This could be evidence of Red Dog’s strong bond with John, in that we can see Red Dog almost forcing friendships which he approves of.

However, although Red Dog is a bonding point between Nancy and John, he is also the end of their relationship (because he interrupts their first kiss, and Nancy ‘never did get that kiss’) and John becomes aware that ‘as long as Red Dog was his companion, he probably wouldn’t be allowed to have a girlfriend’. From this, dogs seem to have a jealous streak, which could be a bit too anthropomorphic for a ‘true story’. White Fang becomes a ‘snarling, raging demon’ when Wheedon’s mother hugs him, which could be seen as ‘jealousy’ also. However, London chooses to portray this as protection (through describing the hug as a ‘hostile act’ rather than something White Fang is jealous of) which seems like more of an animalistic reaction human affection, in that it is difficult to see that a dog would understand the sentiment behind hugs and kisses. The use of ‘snarling’ is almost onomatopoeic in sound, and this quality often lends a stronger, more potent feeling to the words, which in a way represents both White Fang and the relationship he has with his master, his God.

Join now!

White Fang also has more than one significant relationship. The first human that he ‘belongs to’ is Grey Beaver. Grey Beaver was the one who ‘saved’ White Fang from the wild and first civilised him, which demanded a certain loyalty from White Fang, but never devotion - this is a forced relationship, because Kiche (White Fang’s mother) was his brother’s dog. Weedon Scott was the only person who was able to make White Fang ‘croon’, but Grey Beaver still had authority in White Fang’s eyes. This is again evidence that, although dogs can be trained to obey anyone, they ...

This is a preview of the whole essay