The Socialist Voice in Jack London's The People of the Abyss and War of the Classes

Authors

  • Paramar Bhavesh

Keywords:

Socialism, Capitalism, labor, Non-fiction

Abstract

The present abstract delves into the multifaceted persona of writer Jack London and his examination of socialist issues in his non-fiction writings, with particular emphasis on The People of the Abyss and War of the Classes. The essay explores the complex viewpoints London offers and questions the idea that he is only a socialist writer. The essay highlights the exploitative character of capitalism and the gap between the affluent and the poor, highlighting London's astute observations of social and economic imbalances in society. This paper analyzes London's view of socialism, highlighting his conviction that a revolution is necessary in both ideas and deeds. It delves into the intricacies of matters like wage labor, surplus labor, and the government's role in mitigating social and economic inequality. Finally, this research implies that London's ideas and ambition for a better society are reflected in his non-fiction publications. It shows how he changed from being a writer who was classified as socialist to someone who was in favor of real, significant change. London's investigation of revolutionary ideas progressively deepens, demonstrating his profound sympathy for the working class's predicament and his wish for a more equitable and peaceful society.

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References

Beer, Michael. A History of British Socialism. University of California, 1919, Internet Archive, 2008 http://www.archive.org/details/historyofbritish01beer

Diniejko, Dr. Andrzej. “Benjamin Disraeli and the Two Nation Divide.” www.victorianweb.org, Accessed 27 July 2018.

Fujiwara, Sakae. “Jack London’s Socialism: A Summary of One Chapter from Jack London in Connection with the American Dream.” Jack London Newsletter vol.3, no.3, Sept-Dec 1970, pp. 73-81.

Haw, George. No Room to Live: The Plaint of Overcrowded London. Wells Gardner, Darton and Co. 1900, Internet Archivehttps://archive.org/details/noroomtoliveplai00hawg

London, Jack. “The Other Animals.” Revolution and Other Essays, Macmillan, 1909.

---. The People of the Abyss. Book Jungle, 2008.

---. War of the Classes. Dodo Press, 2007.

Magdoff, Harry. Imperialism: From the Colonial Age to the Present. Monthly Review Press. Aakar Books, 2009.

Wichlan, Daniel, editor. Jack London: The Unpublished and Uncollected Articles and Essays. 3rd ed., CreateSpace Publishing, 2018.

Additional Files

Published

10-02-2023

How to Cite

Paramar Bhavesh. (2023). The Socialist Voice in Jack London’s The People of the Abyss and War of the Classes. Vidhyayana - An International Multidisciplinary Peer-Reviewed E-Journal - ISSN 2454-8596, 8(4). Retrieved from https://j.vidhyayanaejournal.org/index.php/journal/article/view/1210