Antithesis Of Plots And Themes In Jack London's Works

Jack London, whose works are translated into sixty-eight languages, has received worldwide recognition for many years. His works have the raw yet lyrical power to exert a great influence on readers of different generations. London achieved several firsts in the history of American literature, which reflects the complexity of his personality and works. Such complexity is termed antithesis in the thesis because in some of his works the plots and themes form sharp contrasts.The thesis aims to conduct a detailed study of the antithesis treatment of plots and themes. To achieve this goal, several works are selected that can best illustrate the changes of idea and writing style in London' career. The dissertation consists of four chapters and a conclusion part.Chapter 1 is a preface, in which there is an overall comment on London's life and career and a brief introduction to the structure of the thesis. Two versions of To Build a Fire are selected in Chapter 2. Though the two stories are of much the same material, the treatments are different in some ways. The first one is an exemplum, focusing on the action and moral. The second one lays emphasis on mood. It takes a form of Promethusian tragedy, showing the human fragility. The second story fully embodies London's change between 1902 and 1908. It can be regarded as the author's warning to mankind after his meditation on the relationship between man and other men, man and animals, man and the universe.Chapter 3 concerns other two Northland stories, The Call of the Wild and White Fang. London depicted two advisable courses for the development of his heroes with nearly the same symbols. They reflect the antithesis of themes: the law of life vs. love. Every creature is subjected to the law of life, but the salvation power of love is even greater. It is not only the impetus of human civilization, but also the first law mankind should obey.Chapter 4 deals with two biographical novels, Martin Eden and The Valley of the Moon. The former is a modern version of Paradise Lost; the latter is that of Paradise Regained. London also tried to attack the American dream in Martin Eden. However, in The Valley of the Moon, he preached his idea about the solution to the problems of modern society梑ack to the land.A conclusion can be draw in the light of the previous chapters that the antithesis treatment of plots and themes has certain advantages. It provides readers with new views of matters because different aspects of matters are depicted more objectively. The study of such antithesis will reveal the social problems of America, which underwent a transitional period at London's time. Since contemporary China is in the much similar period when economy and ideologies flourish, a valuable lesson will hopefully be brought to the Chinese readers.