What does the setting of the Yukon wilderness symbolize in the novel?

The setting of the Yukon wilderness in "The Call of the Wild" symbolizes freedom, survival, and natural law primarily because it is a back-to-nature environment where the primary themes of the story unfold. This rugged and untamed landscape represents a return to a primal state, where survival instincts are paramount, and the characters are pushed to their limits in order to endure.

In the wild, Buck, the protagonist, discovers his innate strengths and learns to rely on his instincts, which contrasts sharply with the comforts of civilization he initially knew. The wilderness is depicted as a place where the forces of nature reign supreme, adhering to natural law where only the strongest and most adaptable can thrive. This setting acts as a catalyst for Buck's transformation from a domesticated pet to a powerful, independent creature, emphasizing the idea that true freedom comes from embracing one's natural abilities within the unstructured world of the wilderness.

This interpretation highlights how the setting serves to reinforce the novel's themes around the essence of survival and the call of one's instinctual nature, rather than being a place of comfort or a symbol of human innovation.