Jack London

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how personal tragedy can often be an inspiration, how writing can serve as a reflection of events as well as therapy in many circumstances, and how one writer who displays such an example in his writing is Jack London. It attempts to show that, while London's writing is often overlooked, it should rather be considered a staple in the canon of American literature for its clarity and significant messages regarding man and his place in the world. It explores how London's personal experiences influenced his writing and, therefore, explains why his stories are important in modern literature.

From the Paper:

"London's youth may have impacted him in a negative way that he was never completely able to overcome, but he did not allow this to stop him from writing. Rothberg describes London as an alcoholic who "destroyed his own talent" (Rothberg 1). He wanted desperately to be a success in business and failed much like Mark Twain. He makes a "brilliant beginning and then cannot develop from there" (1). London witnessed a pattern of failure experienced by his parents, who were always trying get-rich-quick schemes that forced them to move all over the San Francisco Bay area. Rothberg asserts that this pattern of "failure and flight" (2) scarred London permanently. In addition, London was illegitimate and this knowledge "weighed heavily" on him and, according to Rothberg, "was one of the most important factors in shaping his personality" (3). London died of a self-administered overdose of morphine, which was used to treat the pain of nephritis, caused by alcoholism."

More papers on Jack London:

• Book Review # 69182 : "Jack London"
• Book Review # 92554 : "'Martin Eden' by Jack London"
• Analytical Essay # 55550 : "Jack London and his Writing Style"

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