White Fang Innocence Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph) Shmoop has numbered the chapters continuously, but the book renumbers them in each Part.

Quote #7

A kind word, a caressing touch of the hand, on the part of Grey Beaver, might have sounded these deeps; but Grey Beaver did not caress, nor speak kind words. It was not his way. (13.16)

That's hard core, Grey Beaver. We don't know what Grey Beaver's been through, but we're pretty sure he doesn't have the tiniest shred of innocence left, and that's something he passes on to White Fang with the whole never-touch-the-dog thing.

Quote #8

It was the beginning of the end for White Fang—the ending of the old life and the reign of hate. (20.21)

London chooses his words pretty carefully here, as Scott finally shows White Fang what real devotion is. If his "old life" is ending, that suggests that a new one is about to begin. And if it's new, it must therefore be innocent, right? So again, we're back to the idea that innocence never goes away entirely.

Quote #9

In the end, the master laughed him out of his dignity. His jaws slightly parted, his lips lifted a little, and a quizzical expression that was more love than humour came into his eyes. He had learned to laugh. (24.8)

It sounds to us like you can find innocence again, even after it gets beaten down. White Fang does, at least, and I bet none of us were ever thrown in a cage or beaten up by a short-order cook. So we've all got a chance, huzzah.