It should not be so hard to write both poetry and fiction. Both arts, after all, make use of the same materials, words and punctuation. Poems...
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Martin Eden, a cautionary tale indeed. Also a story of mind over matter, even over life itself. The previous review discusses ME's struggles, but neglects the story's raw beauty and historical settings. Martin attacks his writing/studies with ferocity; he overcomes tremendous difficulties -- his belonging to what he calls "the real dirt," the impoverished working class; periods of exhaustion and near starvation; ostracization; lack of belief in and support for his goal of becoming a mind to be reckoned with.
Publication, wealth and fame, however prove void of merit and joy. What once was real to Eden -- his early life of fighting, working, sailing -- he cannot return to; yet he invisions returning to a South Sea island and buying a farm there. But this last dream has no savor; indeed he finds no meaning in life. And herein, it seems, lies the so-called theme or meaning of the story. Obsession with success of any kind (literary, industrial, monetary . . ) slowly kills the instinct to live -- to create meaningful connections, to love, to accept the gift of life without violence to self or others; to find meaning in life itself. But Martin has been chasing illusions. Even writing has no meaning, and he vows never again to lift a pen.
The events of the final pages seem a fitting end for Martin Eden. By sheer will power he had depleted himself. He no longer hears the siren call of his island paradise.
For more on this theme, see London's The Sun Dog Trail, a great short tale of obsession/revenge, with winter's unforgetable ravages and a sled dog ride into frigid Alaskan wastelands.
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Martin Eden (Penguin American Library) by Jack London
whltowhl, December 19, 2008
Martin Eden, a cautionary tale indeed. Also a story of mind over matter, even over life itself. The previous review discusses ME's struggles, but neglects the story's raw beauty and historical settings. Martin attacks his writing/studies with ferocity; he overcomes tremendous difficulties -- his belonging to what he calls "the real dirt," the impoverished working class; periods of exhaustion and near starvation; ostracization; lack of belief in and support for his goal of becoming a mind to be reckoned with.Publication, wealth and fame, however prove void of merit and joy. What once was real to Eden -- his early life of fighting, working, sailing -- he cannot return to; yet he invisions returning to a South Sea island and buying a farm there. But this last dream has no savor; indeed he finds no meaning in life. And herein, it seems, lies the so-called theme or meaning of the story. Obsession with success of any kind (literary, industrial, monetary . . ) slowly kills the instinct to live -- to create meaningful connections, to love, to accept the gift of life without violence to self or others; to find meaning in life itself. But Martin has been chasing illusions. Even writing has no meaning, and he vows never again to lift a pen.
The events of the final pages seem a fitting end for Martin Eden. By sheer will power he had depleted himself. He no longer hears the siren call of his island paradise.
For more on this theme, see London's The Sun Dog Trail, a great short tale of obsession/revenge, with winter's unforgetable ravages and a sled dog ride into frigid Alaskan wastelands.