What does Buck ultimately seek in the story?

In "The Call of the Wild," Buck ultimately seeks freedom, which represents a return to his primal instincts and true nature. Throughout the story, he experiences the harsh realities of life in the wilderness after being taken from his comfortable home. As he faces various challenges, Buck learns to adapt and embrace his environment, shedding the constraints of domestication.

His journey reflects a deep yearning to break free from human control and societal expectations, ultimately guiding him back to a life that aligns more closely with his innate instincts. The climax of his quest for freedom is realized when he finally answers the call of the wild, embracing his identity as a creature of nature rather than a domesticated pet. This journey underscores the overarching theme of the struggle between civilization and the primal forces of nature, making freedom the most significant pursuit for Buck in the narrative.