This post kicks off a series exploring manliness in literature and how it applies to the current culture.
The concept of manliness has been a common theme in literature for centuries. It is often used to describe the qualities of strength, courage, and resilience that are attributed to men. This can be seen in the works of many classic authors, including Jack London, one of the greatest American authors of all time. London’s works often feature characters who embody the ideals of manliness, making them incredibly popular with readers. In this blog post, we will explore the manliness of Jack London and how it is portrayed in his work.
Who is Jack London?
Jack London was born on January 12, 1876 in San Francisco, California. He was an American novelist and journalist, was known for his rugged masculinity and adventurous spirit. He is best known for his novels The Call of the Wild and White Fang, which focus on the survival of a dog in the Alaskan wilderness and garnered him international fame.
The Theme of Ruggedness
Definition: Having or requiring toughness and determination.
London’s characters often embodied the ideals of manliness, such as strength, courage, ruggedness and resilience. As a result of the adventurous spirit they found themselves in dangerous situations and had to rely on their own wits and strength to survive. He also wrote about the harsh realities of life for working-class men, and his stories often featured strong, independent men who were not afraid to take risks and fight for what they believed in. These characters appealed to readers because they were relatable and embodied a sense of rugged adventure, displayed ideals of masculinity and strength, that was often absent from other literature at the time. The theme of ruggedness is a recurring theme throughout London’s writing.
Jack London’s Rugged Adventures
Jack London was well known for his adventurous lifestyle. From sailing around the Pacific Ocean to exploring the Klondike gold rush, he experienced a variety of different cultures and landscapes during his lifetime. This experience allowed him to create vivid stories that captured the imagination of readers all over the world.
London’s adventurous lifestyle also influenced his writing. His stories often featured characters who were rugged adventurers living in dangerous or unknown environments. His stories were set in places such as the Arctic, the Yukon Territory, or even on a ship at sea. These settings allowed for a greater sense of danger and adventure than could be found in other literature of the time.
Examples of Jack London’s characters living rugged and adventurous lifestyles can be seen in his novels The Call of the Wild and White Fang. In both novels, the protagonists are forced to survive in harsh environments with limited resources and must rely on their own strength and courage to make it through. These characters embody the ideals of manliness as they must rely on themselves to complete their journey.
Jack London’s Rugged Masculinity
Jack London was well known for using masculine language and imagery in his writing. His descriptions often focused on strength and courage, which are two qualities often associated with manliness. He also used terms such as “manly” or “valiant” to describe his characters, further emphasizing their masculine qualities.
Examples of Jack London’s characters embodying the ideals of manliness can be seen in his novel The Sea-Wolf. The protagonist, Wolf Larsen, is a rugged adventurer who is determined to survive despite all odds. Despite being physically weaker than his adversaries, he still manages to come out on top due to his courage and strength of will. This character embodies many ideals of manliness, such as courage and resilience in the face of adversity.
Another example can be found in London’s novel The Call of the Wild. The protagonist, Buck, is a dog who is forced into a life of servitude but eventually learns to embrace his inner strength and courage. Through this character, London emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself no matter what obstacles may arise. This again reinforces many ideals associated with manliness such as courage and self-reliance.
Jack London’s works often revolved around themes of manhood and masculinity. In many cases, he used his characters to explore what it means to be a man in a changing world. Through their struggles against adversity, these characters embody many ideals associated with manliness such as strength, courage, ruggedness and resilience.
Conclusion
Jack London was an American author who wrote stories about rugged adventure and characters that embodied the ideals of manhood. His works often featured characters who were rugged adventurers living in dangerous or unknown environments who had to rely on their own strength and courage to survive. Many of these characters embodied ideals associated with manliness such as strength, courage, ruggedness and resilience.
Throughout his works, London explored what it means to be a man in a changing world. His characters often struggled against adversity but emerged victorious due to their courage and self-reliance. This made them incredibly popular amongst readers as they provided an escape from everyday life while still embodying many ideals associated with manliness.
Jack London’s works are full of characters who embody the ideals of manhood and masculinity. Through their stories, he explored themes such as courage and resilience that are still relevant today. His works remain popular amongst readers due to their emphasis on adventure and bravery while still staying true to the concept of manliness.
More Resources
- Embracing Winter – Embrace winter by reading Jack London. His books are a perfect companion during the winter months.
- Jack London at Art of Manliness
- In a Far Country
- To Build a Fire
The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.
Jack London
It’s better to stand by someone’s side than by yourself.
Jack London
Fear urged him to go back, but growth drove him on.
Jack London – White Fang
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