Jack London’s “Love of Life”

From the textbook analysis: in the story a person is depicted side by side, in equal struggle with nature’s forces; his fighting spirit and hope are stressed – the hero’s love of life triumphs over death. The plot is distinctive: at the start two travellers, one of whom, Bill, abandons his companion, then only one hero remains. The author does not name him but calls him “the man”, perhaps to show the endurance of all humanity. Usually London’s works feature gold seekers; in this story both heroes are tested by gold. He throws away first half the gold, then all of it: for someone in a lonely place in need of a piece of bread and a helping hand, gold has no worth. The fate of Bill, who left his companion and loved gold, is sad: the man comes upon his sack and bones – the reader thinks of honesty, loyalty and fairness. The obstacles – wilderness, puddle, bear, wolf – increase the hero’s love of life. The state of the sick wolf and the man is compared: neither has strength, yet the man has hope to live. The textbook sees the story’s idea in building feelings of gratitude, loyalty to a friend and love of life.