Jack London, an American author known for his thrilling adventure stories, showed the world that even an exciting story that takes place in exotic settings can include all the intricacies of great literature. This is seen in many of his stories with the implementation of symbolism, many times a recurring theme in his work. Also, London used many ideas of the day such as Darwinism and Spencerism in his writings in order to better portray his views. However, perhaps one of the most telling signs that London wrote good literature was through London's mastery of a rising literary movement known as naturalism. As seen in multitude of London's works, symbolism plays a major role in his writings. One of London's greatest works of …show more content…
In "To Build a Fire," a mysterious man, referred to as "the man" (Rhodes 1) in many literary critiques, must survive a hump over the frozen tundra of the Klondike, and with him he takes his husky. The two characters act as foils to each other, each experiencing the same situations as the other, but it is their responses to the situations that show the difference between the two. For example, both the husky and the man break through the ice and got their paws/feet wet: "Suddenly it (the husky) broke through the water that clung to it turned to ice" (London 500) and then later " the man broke through (the ice)" (London 501-502). It is the husky, however, that proved more adept to coping with the freezing climate of the North, especially after having gotten wet in a freezing creek. Because of this innate ability of the husky, he survived the ordeal whereas the man died of hypothermia after his fire, which was meant to dry out his foot, was snuffed out by the Northern snow. "It was as though he had heard his own sentence of death. For a moment he sat there and stared at the spot where the fire had been" (London 503). It is this symbol of survival that is perhaps the most characteristic and recurring theme in London's writings, known as Spencerism. Many ideas of the late 19th century and early 20th century are apparent in London's writing, chief among them being his belief in Spencerism. This was an idea created by
In it he spoke of the wrongness of slavery and of many thoughts on government. But if there was anything that occupied him the most, it was the opposing of slavery and its effect on society and people. He could oppose it because he knew how to write about it and read about it. His desire to learn served him well in this.
At the age of 20, London was accepted into the University of California, but due to a lack of funds, he was only able to stay for a semester. The most important event of London’s early life was when he moved to Alaska to take part in the Klondike Gold Rush. In 1900, London had his first book published, “The Son of the Wolf,” and married Bessie Mae Maddern. They had 2 children before they divorced in 1905. He then married Charmian Kittredge soon after. After doing some traveling, he settled in Hawaii and became America’s first Pacific Rim writer. By the time London died, he was the best selling author in America, published 18 books, 198 short stories, three plays and hundreds of nonfiction books and articles. (Jack London, Wikipedia) 1
The Tropfest films Road Rage (2006) and Lemonade Stand (2012) both represent Australian stories and Australian voices. Both of the films explore the representation of Australians and show many different aspects of Australian culture. The film Road Rage expounds a different more emotional side to the typical stereotype of Australian men. Lemonade Stand also represents Australian culture, through the use of themes such as mateship and the Aussie Battler. Both of the films through the use of mis-en-scene and a variety of different visual and oral techniques show key aspects of Australian culture,
John Griffin Chaney, known better today as Jack London, was an American-born journalist and author whose work left an imprint on the American society that can still be seen today. London was born on January 12, 1876, in San Francisco, California. Through his writings, London was able to convey his options on life and on death, emphasizing the struggles humanity faces to live with integrity and dignity. London was a pioneer in fiction writing transforming the art of writing into a sustainable job. In addition to these accomplishments, London fought passionately for the right of works, socialism, and unionization. By examining London's life, work and activism we can understand why he has impacted society so greatly suggesting that great work
The writing of the American colonies changed greatly from the time of settlement on the new land to the 18th and 19th century. The literature styles expanded, visibly due to the cultural, religious, and political shifts that were taking place in the colonies. As events progressed so did the literature and coming out of the enlightenment period, which was characterized by the optimistic pursuit of happiness principle, was the paradoxical literary style known as gothic. Gothic literature was not innovated by Americans but in fact started across the sea in Britain and eventually influenced American authors to pen along the same style as well as create new innovations and changes that reflected the unique setting of the American landscape of the
Jack London is a very adventurous man. Also, he writes fabulous books about nature. Jack London is really energetic in his books. His experiences influence the background in his writing. He writes books about how to survive in Alaska. He has been to Alaska, so he knows what he is talking about. His life influenced his writing because he is adventurous and enjoys nature. Jack London would rather do something in his life than just sit around.
Edgar Allan Poe was an American gothic writer, literacy critic and editor whose work greatly impacted the world of literacy and history itself. Poe was introduced to the world in the early 19th century, his time on earth being 1809 to 1849. Throughout his life, Poe experienced tragedy that could be reflected by his gothic writing style. Regardless of his hardships, he did not fail to leave a positive mark on the world. Poe revolutionized the way American’s viewed literacy and re-birthed an unpopular genre of art.
The main character of the story is doomed from the start. London says, “The man broke through” telling the reader about the main character’s experience with the water spring (London 337). Nature gives him bad luck over and over again, showing us his doomed fate from the start. Naturalism also demonstrates the environment being indifferent; the environment does nothing to help its inhabitants. The Yukon does not cease the bitter coldness when the man is struggling to stay alive: “He was losing this battle with the frost” (London 344). This indifference makes survival the only possible goal to try to reach. Another characteristic of Naturalism is the force of instinct. London states in the story, “The dog did not know anything about thermometers. Possibly in its brain there was no sharp conscious or a condition of very cold such as in the man’s brain. But the brute had its instinct” (London 334). The dog’s instincts give it an awareness of the wilderness that is superior to or better than the man’s sense of judgment. The dog’s instinct also ties in with the Naturalistic characteristic of heredity. The dog, unlike the man, has physical characteristics that have been passed down genetically
After I realize that I could only bring one person with me for my trip, I decide to take Jack London. He was an American novelist, journalist, and social activist. A pioneer in the then-burgeoning world of commercial magazine fiction, he was one of the first fiction writers to obtain worldwide celebrity and a large fortune from his fiction alone.
Although he supported these factors, according to Scott Parker- Anderson “Waldina” Waldina May 1, 2013 Web. February 5, 2016. , London was very hypocritical when it came to the outside world. London started off by joining the gold rush, hoping to become rich from it, because he failed to do so he decided to write about his experiences. This is what inspired Jack to begin his career in writing.
Jack London was an individual uniquely concerned with man’s relationship to nature; he felt there was a lack of vitality in modern human life that came from humanity’s desire to keep itself comfortable at the expense of their ability to accept their own animal selves. To that end, London attempted to explore this idea of naturalism within his works and writings – his essays and stories focused chiefly on the folly of men who attempted to control nature the same way they controlled their society, only to be met with disaster. “To Build a Fire” demonstrates the fundamental elements of naturalism as specified through the principles of Jack London.
When Jack London wrote "To Build a Fire" he embraced the idea of naturalism because it mirrored the events of daily life. Naturalism showed how humans had to be wary at every corner because at anytime death could be there, waiting for them to make a mistake and forfeit their lives. He used naturalism, the most realistic literary movement, to show how violent and uncaring nature really is and how no matter what you do nature will always be there. London also presented the basic idea of Darwinism and the survival of the fittest, basically if you are dumb you will die. Collectively, London used naturalism to show how in life, humans can depend on nothing
e-bound regions of the world are fascinatingly unique and absolutely forbidding. Air so cold it whistles it’s warning to those who dare brave the hostility of the polar elements. It is a place where boys become men or perish by the unmerciful and unforgiving power of nature. It’s human nature to think wisely and act foolishly for nature itself is full of hidden menaces. It is risky to underestimate the significance of it’s power. Nature can give people a lot of pleasure, but also many troubles. If people do not respect it’s laws or have special knowledge and experience they can find themselves in a danger. People should know that very often their carelessness and self-assurance could lead to terrible consequences and even to death.
Jack London’s stories “To Build a Fire” and "Love of Life” can be summarized in a short précis’s. "Love of Life” is a story about a man abandoned in the Yukon by his partner Bill after he sprained his ankle. Along the way, the man struggles with natures forces, hunger and humanity are sacrificed in an attempt to survive its dangerous territory. Towards the end the man is crawling, his knees are bloody stumps, he is powered only by his will to live. A wolf follows him, too sick to hunt; it limps after the man hoping for him to die. The man makes the choice to kill the wolf, sinking his teeth into its neck for an hour and a half, and later wriggles on to a beach where he is spotted by a ship’s crew and lives on. “To Build a Fire” is the story
With reference to one property development site within the City of London, critically appraise the extent to which that development delivers successful modern property development whilst at the same time respecting the historic sense of identity of the City of London as identified by Glinert.