What is the climax of the plot represented by the following events: Thornton wins a great deal of money; Thornton is killed by the Yeehats?

The climax of a plot is the point of greatest tension and drama, often serving as the turning point for the narrative. In the context of "The Call of the Wild," the events where Thornton wins a considerable sum of money and then is tragically killed by the Yeehats represent this crucial moment in the story. This sequence brings together the themes of loyalty, survival, and the brutal reality of nature, pushing Buck to a pivotal transformation in his character.

Thornton’s death is particularly significant as it propels Buck further into the wild, illustrating both the sheer unpredictability of life in the wilderness and the deep, emotional bond he shared with Thornton. This incident marks the height of conflict and leads to the subsequent events of Buck embracing his primal instincts, thereby changing the course of his life forever. The intensity of Thornton's death and its impact on Buck exemplify the climactic moment in the narrative, where the stakes are highest and Buck's true nature starts emerging in full.