In White Fang, innocence is more than the typical naïveté of childhood (or puppyhood in this case). It also indicates a total lack of experience with the world, in which White Fang always finds himself stumbling smack dab against something that's nothing he's ever seen before. White Fang, as an animal, is always innocent in some ways, and that innocence shows up in both physical experiences and emotional feelings. Bet you never thought you'd be asking yourself why wolves can't cry when you started this book.
Questions About Innocence
- Is innocence a different thing when it comes from an animal like White Fang instead of a human? Why or why not?
- Is Weedon Scott more of an innocent than Grey Beaver or Beauty Smith? Why or why not? How does his innocence affect his relationship with White Fang?
- How does White Fang express his innocence in the book? What specific incidents does he respond to during those times?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
White Fang's innocence is enhanced by the fact that he's an animal. He can never quite shake it fully.
As a wild animal, White Fang is much less innocent than men.