Cecelia Tichi
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- May 2016
- ISBN:
- 9781469622668
- eISBN:
- 9781469625065
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of North Carolina Press
- DOI:
- 10.5149/northcarolina/9781469622668.003.0003
- Subject:
- History, American History: 20th Century
This chapter focuses on Jack London's fight against the unbridled capitalism that he believed was the root cause of the pandemic of human misery and degradation during his time, along with his ...
More
This chapter focuses on Jack London's fight against the unbridled capitalism that he believed was the root cause of the pandemic of human misery and degradation during his time, along with his efforts to swing public opinion to his side in the late 1890s. Over London's lifetime, the capitalists had transformed America into an economic system that he accused of being exploitative. The last quarter of the nineteenth century—the years of London's life—was dubbed the era of Big Business, that is, the era of triumphant laissez-faire capitalism. This chapter examines how London fought this economic system by drawing on the popularity of boxing, both its figures of speech and its ideology of blows exchanged over many rounds. It also considers London's promotion of socialism that pit him against Ivy Ledbetter Lee; they waged their battle in the court—on the canvas—of public opinion.Less
This chapter focuses on Jack London's fight against the unbridled capitalism that he believed was the root cause of the pandemic of human misery and degradation during his time, along with his efforts to swing public opinion to his side in the late 1890s. Over London's lifetime, the capitalists had transformed America into an economic system that he accused of being exploitative. The last quarter of the nineteenth century—the years of London's life—was dubbed the era of Big Business, that is, the era of triumphant laissez-faire capitalism. This chapter examines how London fought this economic system by drawing on the popularity of boxing, both its figures of speech and its ideology of blows exchanged over many rounds. It also considers London's promotion of socialism that pit him against Ivy Ledbetter Lee; they waged their battle in the court—on the canvas—of public opinion.
Cecelia Tichi
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- May 2016
- ISBN:
- 9781469622668
- eISBN:
- 9781469625065
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of North Carolina Press
- DOI:
- 10.5149/northcarolina/9781469622668.003.0008
- Subject:
- History, American History: 20th Century
This afterword discusses some of the social issues that became Jack London's unfinished business because of his death. London supported the nationwide ban on alcoholic beverages, which could be ...
More
This afterword discusses some of the social issues that became Jack London's unfinished business because of his death. London supported the nationwide ban on alcoholic beverages, which could be traced to his autobiography of 1913, John Barleycorn, in which he exposed the evils of alcoholism. Other unfinished business includes the chronic labor disputes, the warfare of nations, “oligarchy” and “barbarism,” and corporate Big Business. This afterword also considers Progressive and socialist plans that were swirling in the 1910s, such as the work-related pension for retirees and financial support for orphans and the disabled. Finally, it analyzes “Goliah,” a short story by London that tackled social reform. London died on the night of November 22, 1916 at the age of forty. His ashes were interred, as he wished, beneath a volcanic boulder on his Beauty Ranch property, now the Jack London California State Park.Less
This afterword discusses some of the social issues that became Jack London's unfinished business because of his death. London supported the nationwide ban on alcoholic beverages, which could be traced to his autobiography of 1913, John Barleycorn, in which he exposed the evils of alcoholism. Other unfinished business includes the chronic labor disputes, the warfare of nations, “oligarchy” and “barbarism,” and corporate Big Business. This afterword also considers Progressive and socialist plans that were swirling in the 1910s, such as the work-related pension for retirees and financial support for orphans and the disabled. Finally, it analyzes “Goliah,” a short story by London that tackled social reform. London died on the night of November 22, 1916 at the age of forty. His ashes were interred, as he wished, beneath a volcanic boulder on his Beauty Ranch property, now the Jack London California State Park.
