the rise of naturalism
The Rise of Naturalism
The Law of Life
RL 2 Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text.
RL 3 Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story. RL 4 Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings. RL 9 Demonstrate knowledge of early-twentiethcentury works of American literature. L 4b Identify and correctly use patterns of word changes that indicate different meanings or parts of speech.
did you know?
Jack London . . .
• was the first American author to become a millionaire from his writing. • pioneered the field of sports writing.
• covered the RussoJapanese War and the
Mexican Revolution as a correspondent.
Short Story by Jack London
Meet the Author
Jack London
1876–1916
According to critic Alfred Kazin, “The greatest story Jack London ever wrote was the story he lived.” Before London had turned 21 he had had more adventures than a Hollywood action hero. Once he began publishing stories about his experiences, he became an international celebrity. His works, many set in the wilds of Alaska and the American West, brought before the reading public a fresh style and subject matter that proved popular and profitable.
The Call of Adventure Born in San
Francisco, Jack London grew up in
Oakland, California. Disowned by his biological father, he took the name of his stepfather, John London. Although a decent man, the stepfather couldn’t make much of a living, so London spent much of his youth working. Periods of backbreaking manual labor—in factories, canneries, a power plant, and a laundry— alternated with high adventure. The 16year-old Jack became an oyster pirate in
San Francisco Bay before switching sides side to join the shore police. At age 17, he seal-hunting boarded a ship for a seal-huntin
Sea.
expedition to the
The Law of Life
RL 2 Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text.
RL 3 Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story. RL 4 Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings. RL 9 Demonstrate knowledge of early-twentiethcentury works of American literature. L 4b Identify and correctly use patterns of word changes that indicate different meanings or parts of speech.
did you know?
Jack London . . .
• was the first American author to become a millionaire from his writing. • pioneered the field of sports writing.
• covered the RussoJapanese War and the
Mexican Revolution as a correspondent.
Short Story by Jack London
Meet the Author
Jack London
1876–1916
According to critic Alfred Kazin, “The greatest story Jack London ever wrote was the story he lived.” Before London had turned 21 he had had more adventures than a Hollywood action hero. Once he began publishing stories about his experiences, he became an international celebrity. His works, many set in the wilds of Alaska and the American West, brought before the reading public a fresh style and subject matter that proved popular and profitable.
The Call of Adventure Born in San
Francisco, Jack London grew up in
Oakland, California. Disowned by his biological father, he took the name of his stepfather, John London. Although a decent man, the stepfather couldn’t make much of a living, so London spent much of his youth working. Periods of backbreaking manual labor—in factories, canneries, a power plant, and a laundry— alternated with high adventure. The 16year-old Jack became an oyster pirate in
San Francisco Bay before switching sides side to join the shore police. At age 17, he seal-hunting boarded a ship for a seal-huntin
Sea.
expedition to the