Bâtard

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Bâtard is a short story by Jack London, first published in 1902 under the title "Diable — A Dog" in The Cosmopolitan before being renamed to "Bâtard" in 1904. The story follows Black Leclère and Bâtard, two "devils", one in man and the other in a wolfdog. Their intense hatred of each other forms the plot as they both want to kill the other, despite having a master and pet relationship.

[edit] Characters

Black Leclère
The hateful owner of Bâtard. He is a frenchman and somewhat of a human analogy of Bâtard. He refuses to sell the dog, knowing he will one day kill him.

Bâtard (Diable)
Bâtard is a wolf hybrid. His father was a grey timber wolf and his mother was a husky. He shows hatred, hence his original name of Diable, but it is instinctive hatred, not calculated as with Leclère. He refuses to run away from Leclère despite having ample opportunity, as he has a desire to kill Leclère.