Who is punished by Buck for his sour demeanor?

The correct answer is Joe. In "The Call of the Wild," Buck encounters various dogs, each with their unique personalities. Joe, who is part of the team, exhibits a sour demeanor and is often described as a difficult character. In the context of the story, Buck observes how Joe's negative attitude contributes to disharmony among the sled dogs. As a result, Buck feels compelled to respond to Joe’s behavior, illustrating a natural reaction within the pack dynamics where animals often enforce social order. By punishing Joe, Buck asserts his own growing leadership and understanding of pack hierarchy, which is a significant theme in the novel.

The other characters mentioned, while they certainly have their distinct traits, do not showcase the same negative behavior that prompts Buck to take action. Dave is generally dedicated and loyal, Sol-leks is more grumpy than sour but still functional and respectful, and Hal, as a human, represents a different kind of conflict altogether, lacking the direct pack interaction that Buck experiences with the dogs.