The review for a story "Soul of the Pack" by @spalatino from @mgaft1

The first question that came to mind while reading this story is whether this story is naturalistic (like London’s White Fang) or anthropomorphic (like Kipling’s Jungle Book?) After reading it, I am inclined to think the latter, because of multiple specific details. Wolves here talk and gather for meetings, The Blue Fang Pack it has its own laws like “Holy Duel.” Also during the fight the Shadow, Stripes used the claws “Claws slashed Shadows black fur just across the chest.” This is characteristic of Felidae family (cats, lions, tigers, etc.), rather than Canidae family (dogs and wolves).

Authors usually use anthropomorphism in order to convey some social view, as, I surmise, did the author of this story.

The key issue in this story is an improvised election of the new alpha male. The pack law administers the election as “Holy Duel” or the fight to the death. The two original contenders are both have fighter quality strength against speed, but have no leadership qualities – both are wicked and selfish. Therefore the ex-alpha female ads to the mix another candidate, stripes – the wolf equivalent of Mohandas Gandhi, someone who cares about other people; the quality that in her eyes will make him a good leader of the pack.

Of course, which qualities make a good leader is a big question. Take Abraham Lincoln for example. He seems to be a sample of a good leader and yet I read he wanted to win the civil war in order to deport all the African Americans back to Africa. How’s that for caring about people?

Anyhow, as good of a wolf-person as Stripes is, he is not an experienced worrier. Thus, he falls the victim of a more experienced fighter Shadow.

There are a couple from conclusion I can draw from this development, which I am not sure would coincide with those intended by the author.

Number one: GOOD must have strong fists to defend itself and all those it wants to spread its influence.

Number two: since GOOD by definition is not mean and lean fighting machine, those who will eventually lead us are more likely not be representing GOOD.

Number three: the most reasonable and wise (I want to say person) wolf in all this situation is alpha female. Thus the story’s main point is: why not change the law and let the lady run the pack’s business.

In other words Hilary for president! LOL

Respectfully, @mgaft1.