What does the final image of Buck living with wolves signify?

The final image of Buck living with wolves represents his complete acceptance of his wild identity, highlighting his transformation throughout the novel. As Buck sheds the constraints of domestication and embraces his instincts, this moment signifies his ultimate return to a natural state. Living with wolves symbolizes his reconnection to the primal essence of his being and his ability to thrive in the wild, illustrating that he has adapted fully to his environment and can now exist harmoniously within it.

This image contrasts with earlier parts of the story where Buck struggles against his domesticated upbringing, illustrating his journey toward self-discovery and the reclamation of his ancestral heritage. By the end, Buck is not merely surviving; he has embraced his place in nature, reflecting the overarching theme of returning to one’s roots and the call of the wild.