Jack London is known for using naturalism and brutality as themes in his novels; however, it is also common for him to use philosophical ideas to advance his plots. One example that demonstrates this effectively is London's White Fang, which is significantly informed by Charles Darwin's theories of survival and competition. More specifically, this work focuses on the study of Social Darwinism, which is the belief that “the process of natural selection acting on population variations would lead to the survival of the best competitors and the continuous improvement of the population” (“Social Darwinism”). Darwinism” 1). This theory is articulated within the changes in White Fang's behavior in different environments. White Fang shows how a person's behavior adapts through external influences and demonstrates the underlying presence of Social Darwinism. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The human characters have a significant impact on White Fang, causing major changes in his behavior. One of these alterations occurs when he is forced into an unfamiliar and harsh environment. He must learn to survive with his new master, Beauty Smith, who is described as "a sadistic master who beats White Fang and starves him to make him fight harder" (Reesman 3). Smith's neglect and abuse have a major impact on White Fang, as he must now learn new tactics to survive. Through this fight, he learns to behave like a wild beast to survive and protect himself from being killed. Ultimately, this leads him to fight and often kill any dog ​​that crosses his path. Virginia Crane explains how White Fang gets the name "The Fighting Wolf" by being "abused and exploited so badly that he became a ferocious killer" (Crane 3). With Smith in control, the White Fang learns and replicates Smith's immoral and malignant traits. Smith treats him with such cruelty that he must adapt to the harsh environment to avoid being killed. London states that because White Fang has been beaten and chained for a long period of time, “[White Fang] has now become the enemy of all things, and more ferocious than ever. He was so tormented that he hated blindly and without the faintest spark of reason” (London 220). White Fang begins to express the hatred he receives from Smith, which is why he begins acting like "The Fighting Wolf". He now believes that violence is the only way to live, since he has never been treated with love. Another big change in White Fang occurs when Weedon Scott saves him during a dangerous dog fight. From that moment on, White Fang's life is completely different. By opposing Beauty Smith's qualities, "Scott represents a greater good because he chooses to make the White Fang his responsibility, and he chooses knowing that he is facing an assassin" (Norvell 2). Being treated with the care and love that Scott offers him is new to the White Fang, so he must relearn how to behave and survive for life in this environment. Although this is a challenge for both of them, Scott does not give up as he trains White Fang and helps him earn a new reputation. White Fang's change in behavior is tested and demonstrated when he resists his natural instinct to kill other dogs when they start picking on him. Norvell explains that “White Fang has learned not to attack the dogs, and therefore absorbs their abuse for Scott's sake” (Norvell 2). Previously, White Fang knew how to survive only by fighting and killing to exclude thecompetition. Scott treats White Fang with love and patience, so White Fang adapts to this behavior and changes his way of life. Instead of resorting to violence, White Fang ignores the other dogs and behaves calmly, showing that Scott is an overall good influence on White Fang. Virginia Crane agrees, stating that “loyalty and affection for a man flows from this good treatment, andWhite Fang becomes 'The Blessed Wolf'” (Crane 3). Thanks to Weedon Scott's good nature, White Fang finally learns to love and care for him. This marks the end of his days as The Fighting Wolf and the beginning of his new reputation as The Blessed Wolf. White Fang's behavior changes to ensure survival in any environment, suggesting the idea of ​​social Darwinism. London includes this particular philosophical idea because of White Fang's two opposing behaviors and how his ability to adapt and survive easily shows that he is one of the strongest dogs in the idea of ​​survival of the fittest. Using Smith and Scott “allows Jack London to re-examine behavioral adaptation through the principles of Darwinian evolution. It shows how chance, nature, and external influences function as forces that shape the evolution of all animals” (Vermaas “White Fang” 1). Vermaas suggests that London's use of White Fang adaptations and behaviors further demonstrates the idea of ​​Social Darwinism. The outside influences are Smith and Scott, who both play an important role in White Fang's behavior. During these periods of White Fang's life, “they were his environment, these men, and they were molding his clay into a thing more ferocious than Nature intended. However, Nature had given him plasticity. Where many other animals would have died or had their spirits broken, he adapted and lived, and without expense of spirit” (London 222). London describes how White Fang is strong and portrays social Darwinism due to how he easily adapts to environments that would cause the death of weaker animals. During White Fang's time with Smith, White Fang is transformed into a brutal wolf due to the poor treatment he receives. . White Fang adapts quickly and lives this new life of violence, which would normally be a struggle for other dogs. Crane supports this point by reminding us how “repeatedly, [White Fang] is brought to the brink of extinction, only to recover by adapting to the laws that govern his own nature and the laws that structure his new environments” (Crane 4). Each environment has a different set of laws. London again articulates this idea through the laws of the Wild, and how “White Fang knew the law well: oppress the weak and obey the strong” (London 187). By learning these new laws, he is able to modify his actions accordingly. Matteo Bruccoli believes that “the domestication of the wolf is complete when White Fang produces a litter, thus demonstrating that adaptability is the key to survival” (Bruccoli 1). The internal conflict and great change within the White Fang is complete by the end of the novel, as the White Fang becomes accustomed to the domesticated lifestyle. He begins to behave more like a domestic dog, rather than a wild wolf struggling to survive. White Fang shows how the theory of Social Darwinism will have an effect on an individual's behavior, as it will cause the individual to adapt to environmental changes as they struggle for survival. Through the influence of Scott and Smith and the ideas of Social Darwinism, White Fang provides evidence of his own behavioral adaptations. This idea is demonstrated in the White Fang adjustments for." 2015