What does Buck's return to the wild symbolize?

Buck's return to the wild symbolizes the triumph of instinct and natural law over civilization because throughout his journey, he sheds the constraints of domestication and societal expectations in favor of embracing his primal instincts. As Buck reconnects with his ancestral roots in the wilderness, he learns to listen to the calls of the wild, which represent instinctual wisdom and survival skills inherent in him as a creature of nature.

This transformation highlights a fundamental theme of the story—the struggle between the civilized world and the untamed nature. Buck's ultimate embrace of life in the wild signifies a victory for his innate instincts, allowing him to thrive in an environment where he can be his true self, free from the limitations imposed by human civilization. This choice reflects not just a personal journey for Buck, but also a commentary on the broader relationship between humans and the natural world.