The Call of the Wild follows the story of Buck, a Saint Bernard and Scotch Shepherd mix, who is abducted from his comfortable life as a pet in California and sold to work as a sled dog in the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush. Buck faces brutal treatment and harsh conditions but eventually finds kindness with John Thornton. As Buck navigates his new life, he is torn between his loyalty to Thornton and his growing desire to answer the 'call of the wild'. The novel explores themes of survival, individualism, and the conflict between nature and nurture, reflecting London's experiences and observations during his time in the Yukon.
The story follows White Fang, a half-wolf, half-dog, from his birth in the wild to his eventual domestication. Born to a she-wolf named Kiche, White Fang faces numerous challenges, including famines, hostile treatment from other dogs, and cruel human owners. He is initially raised by Grey Beaver, an Indian, and later falls into the hands of the abusive dog-fighter Beauty Smith. However, his life takes a significant turn when he is rescued by Weedon Scott, a kind and patient gold hunter who tames him and takes him to California. There, White Fang learns to trust and love his new master and eventually becomes a cherished family pet, demonstrating the power of nurture over nature[1][3][4].
Set in Oakland at the beginning of the 20th century, 'Martin Eden' follows the journey of a young sailor from a working-class background who intensely pursues self-education to rise above his destitute circumstances. His primary motivation is his love for Ruth Morse, a member of a bourgeois family. Through his relentless efforts, Eden becomes a writer, but his success is marred by his grudge against the bourgeoisie and the unrequited love that has jaded him. The novel explores themes of social class, human consciousness, and the conflict between individualism and socialism, reflecting London's own experiences as a working-class writer[1][4][5].
Jack London's "In a Far Country" is a short story that explores themes of survival, adaptation, and the harsh realities of the Alaskan wilderness. The story follows three individuals who struggle to adapt to the challenging environment, highlighting the consequences of unpreparedness and a lack of resilience. London's vivid descriptions of the landscape and the characters' struggles create a powerful narrative. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of adapting to changing circumstances. It remains a popular choice among readers interested in adventure stories and survival narratives.
The novel follows Humphrey Van Weyden, a wealthy intellectual and literary critic, who is rescued by Wolf Larsen, the captain of the seal-hunting schooner 'Ghost', after a ferryboat accident in San Francisco Bay. Van Weyden is thrust into a harsh and brutal world where he must adapt to survive. Wolf Larsen, a complex and ruthless character, implements a version of Darwin's 'survival of the fittest' on his crew, leading to intense conflicts and philosophical debates. The story explores themes of ambition, courage, and the will to survive, culminating in a dramatic escape and the eventual downfall of Wolf Larsen.
Jack London's "The Water Baby" is a short story that explores themes of mythology, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of all things. The story follows a young man who has a mystical experience in the ocean, and his experiences reflect London's own evolving perspectives on life and the pursuit of happiness. The story's vivid descriptions of the ocean and its inhabitants create a powerful and immersive reading experience. It's a testament to the human capacity for connection with the natural world and the search for meaning in life. The story is a powerful and insightful exploration of the human condition.
In 'The Red One', Jack London explores themes of science fiction and mysticism through the story of Bassett, a scientist on an expedition in Guadalcanal. The tale revolves around a giant red sphere, worshipped by the natives as a god, to which they make human sacrifices. Bassett's fascination with the sphere leads to his ultimate sacrifice. The story is notable for its early exploration of extraterrestrial themes and possible influences from Carl Jung's ideas.
In "The Far Music," Earle Labor shares his personal journey and reflections on life. The memoir offers insights into his experiences as a Jack London scholar, his academic pursuits, and his personal life. It explores themes of adventure, intellectual curiosity, and the pursuit of knowledge. Labor's writing style is engaging and reflective, allowing readers to connect with his experiences on a personal level. The book is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of pursuing one's passions.
The Little Lady of the Big House is Jack London's last novel published during his lifetime. It revolves around a love triangle between Dick Forrest, a rancher with poetic inclinations, his wife Paula, and Evan Graham, an old friend. The story explores themes of love, desire, and the complexities of relationships. The novel was controversial for its time due to its explicit sexual imagery, yet it remains a poignant exploration of human emotions.
Earle Labor's biography, *Jack London: An American Life*, offers a detailed and nuanced exploration of Jack London's life, drawing on previously undiscovered letters and diaries. It delves into London's adventures, literary achievements, and personal struggles, providing a rich portrait of one of America's most celebrated authors.
Burning Daylight is a rags-to-riches story that follows Elam Harnish, a successful entrepreneur in the Klondike Gold Rush. The novel explores his adventures in Alaska and later in California, where he becomes a businessman. It delves into themes of wealth, morality, and the pursuit of a simpler life. The story also touches on early 20th-century gender expectations and the allure of the wilderness.
The Valley of the Moon is a novel by Jack London, published in 1913. It follows the story of Billy and Saxon Roberts, a working-class couple struggling in Oakland during the early 20th century. They decide to leave the city behind and search for suitable farmland, eventually settling in the Valley of the Moon, a picturesque area in Sonoma County, California. The novel reflects London's interests in sustainable farming and his personal experiences with rural life.
In 'All Gold Canyon', Jack London crafts a narrative that contrasts the tranquility of nature with the destructive forces of human greed. The story follows a prospector who discovers gold in a picturesque canyon, only to face a deadly confrontation with a thief. The tale explores themes of nature's beauty, human greed, and the struggle for survival, reflecting London's signature style of intertwining human drama with the natural world.
Note: My guest in this episode, Dr. Earle Labor, died on September 15 at the age of 94. Earle was the world's foremost authority on one of the Art of Manliness' guiding inspirations and lights: Jack London. Earle dedicated his career to London scholarship and his work was pivotal in turning London's literature into a subject of serious study. Earle taught the very first undergraduate and graduate courses devoted to London and penned a hundred articles and ten books about him.
Earle not only admired London's devotion to what the author called "the true spirit of romance and adventure," he sought that spirit in his own life. As an undergraduate, Earle started the first weightlifting course at Southern Methodist University and he coached and lifted the SMU team to victory in the 1948 Dallas Open Championships. After college, he and a buddy took an epic road trip, where they did farm work and entered boxing matches to work their way from Texas to Canada. And he served in the U.S. Navy and spent time on a destroyer.
I had the privilege of interviewing Earle three times for the AoM podcast. The last time in January 2020, my son and I drove to Earle's home in Shreveport, LA to speak with him in person. To mark Earle's passing, please enjoy this rebroadcast of that conversation.
The literature of Jack London has long been given the short shrift by scholars. They say he wrote some good dog stories for boys, but beyond that didn't showcase any literary genius or high-level craftsmanship. Well, my guest today begs to differ with this assessment.
His name is Earle Labor. He's the preeminent Jack London scholar and 91 years young. I've had Earle on the podcast two previous times: the first to discuss his landmark Jack London biography, and the second to discuss his own memoir, The Far Music. For this episode, I drove down to Earle's home in Shreveport, Louisiana to talk to Earle about the overlooked literary genius of Jack London and the big themes that London wrote about in his novels and short stories. We begin our discussion with Earle's story of how he became a Jack London scholar and why London's work was historically neglected by academics. We then dig into London's literary themes by first discussing how he used the Klondike as a symbolic proving ground for men and how success in this wilderness depended on one's ability to mold oneself to Jack's "Northland Code." Earle uses excerpts from my favorite London story, "In A Far Country," as well as "To Build a Fire" and The Call of the Wild, to showcase the tenets of this code, and well as London's literary artistry.
Earle then explains how London shifted his themes later in his career with his agrarian writing, how his wife Charmian changed his perception of real women and his female characters, and the influence that psychiatrist Carl Jung had on London's last works.
Consider this episode a masterclass on the literature of Jack London.
Resources Related to the Episode
The Art of Manliness 
