Jack London-Voice from the Past
Call of the Wild Author: Adventurer, Political/Social Commentator
London is probably best known for his novel, The Call of the Wild. Set in the Yukon of Alaska during the goldrush days of the late 1800-early 1900's, the story depicts the grueling life of the dog, Buck.
London received over 600 rejection notices during his career. In a way, these rejections give a sobering glimpse into the conflicted soul of this talented writer who just couldn't find his internal or external home.
Jack (John Griffith) London's Early Life
Mystery shrouds the birth of London. He may or maynot have been born illegitimately. He was the son of Flora Wellman and W.H. Chaney. Because records were destroyed during the San Franciscan earthquake, whether or not his parents were married is unknown. The father he knew was his stepfather, John London.
Jack's early homelife was rift with insecurity. His mother had an eye for "get rich quick schemes", that often failed, and she was frequently ill. His stepfather lived with disabilities from the Civil War. Poverty may or may not have been a factor in his development, fact and fiction are inmeshed. He was raised by an ex-slave, Virginia Prentiss.
London dropped out of high school, and employment was a spectacle of no end jobs (oyster pirate, fish patrol, hoboe, sailor, tramp, gold prospector).
London's Life as a Writer--Internal Conflict
Weary of muscle jobs, London untlimately settled into serious writing. He finished high school and attended college. He disciplined himself to write 1000 words each morning. This discipline produced the works he is remembered for: in addition to Call of the Wild, there is, White Fang, The Sea Wolf and numerous others.
London was acutely aware of the suffering of humanity and animals. Socialism, instead of capitalism, for him, appeared to be the answer. Most of his life this philosophy he embraced. Yet, he was enamored with Nietzsche's superman and "lift yourself up by your bootstraps"/individualistic principles. The novels symbolize his internal struggles between these spectrums. It appears he was never able to find his own peaceful, personal philosophy, yet, therein lies his life's relevance for today.
Jack London's Voice for the Modern World
His writings depict suffering, monumental suffering--internal and global. They also depict love, great, sacrificial love--the kind of love that motivates people and perhaps animals to do great and mighty deeds. They also depict venture and risks. Great deeds and advances often involve great risks, and sometimes, the risk taker stands alone.
Unfortunately, London died at the age of 40, due to uremia. There is speculation that alcoholism and an overdose of morphine might have been involved. His life may be likened to a shooting star--a brilliant streak swallowed up in darkness.
In his words:
I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze
than it should be stifled by dry rot.
Source
Jack London, The Call of the Wild/White Fang, Bantan Books, New York, Toronto, London, Sydney, Auckland, 1963, Introduction, Abraham Rothberg.
