Jack London (Critical Insights)

This volume in the Critical Insights series begins with an essay entitled On Jack London, which is a brief discussion of his life and works. A longer biographical section follows. Original essays include a discussion of the literary careers of Jack London and Mark Twain and a close examination of the critical reception of London's works. Other essays discuss London's use of Carl Jung's Psychology of the Unconscious, his use of Naturalism in his early works and the themes of androgyny throughout his novels.

Berkove (English, U. of Michigan-Dearborn) brings together a group of literature scholars from the US and Ireland for 18 essays on the career, life, and influence of American author Jack London. Topics include the themes of Darwinism, naturalism, moral idealism, and racism in his works; the historical context; comparisons to Mark Twain and the attitudes of Thomas Jefferson and Ralph Waldo Emerson; critical reception; his move from traditional male and female characters to characters who combine characteristics of both sexes; and analyses of Martin Eden, Barley Corn, The Call of the Wild, The Star Rover, Tales of Cannibals and Headhunters, his essay "Telic Action & Collective Stupidity," his short stories, and his early fiction. Some essays were previously published. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)