What is the 'hairy man' that Buck dreams about?

The 'hairy man' that Buck dreams about serves as a profound symbol of his ancestral human lineage and primal instincts. Throughout "The Call of the Wild," Buck's journey is not just a physical one through the Canadian wilderness, but also a psychological and evolutionary transformation. The hairy man embodies the connection to his wild ancestors and signifies the innate instincts that awaken within Buck as he adapts to the harsh realities of life in the wild. This dream reflects the deep-seated instincts that he shares with wild animals and highlights his transition from a domesticated pet to a creature who embraces his primal nature. The imagery of the hairy man evokes a sense of heritage and the survival instincts that come naturally to Buck as he begins to understand his place in the natural order.