What is the origin of the idiom "the call of the wild" and when to use it?

The idiom "the call of the wild" originated from the idea that the untamed and natural world exerts a powerful and irresistible attraction on humans. This expression was popularized by American author Jack London, who used it as the title for his novel "The Call of the Wild" (1903), in which the protagonist, a domesticated dog named Buck, is drawn by his instincts and the allure of the wilderness. The novel explores the primal and instinctual forces that compel individuals, whether human or animal, to seek freedom and a connection to the natural world.