This paper offers a close reading of Jack London's short story "The Law of Life," examining its central themes of mortality, the cyclical nature of life, and the inevitability of death. Through the figure of Old Koskoosh — an aging Native American chief left behind by his tribe in the Alaskan winter — London explores how individual lives are subsumed by the larger rhythms of nature. The paper discusses London's use of symbolism, particularly the winter setting and the parallel wolf-hunt scenes, his portrayal of the father-son relationship, and the balance he strikes between life's hardships and its rewarding moments. The paper also briefly addresses London's prose style and its contribution to the story's emotional impact.
The paper demonstrates thematic close reading: it identifies the story's central theme early and then systematically shows how different narrative elements — setting, memory, character relationships, and plot structure — each contribute to and reinforce that same theme. This cumulative approach builds a convincing interpretive argument without relying on outside sources.
The paper opens with a brief personal introduction explaining why the story was chosen, then moves into a plot summary before transitioning to thematic analysis. Each body paragraph focuses on a distinct element: the portrayal of womanhood and decline, the chief's memories, the father-son relationship, the winter symbolism, and the parallel wolf-hunt scenes. A short closing paragraph addresses London's prose style before a brief conclusion. The structure is largely linear, following the story's own sequence of events.
Among the many writers encountered in this course, the one who made the deepest impression was Jack London. Specifically, London's short story "The Law of Life" proved to be a captivating and memorable read. There were numerous aspects of this story that stood out. One of the most significant was the profound sense of authenticity that permeates the tale. The characters, too, were compelling — the story's focus on Native Americans and their way of life made it both distinctive and engaging. For these reasons and others, this tale is likely to remain memorable for some time and may even influence one's own reading and writing going forward.
"The Law of Life" is a story about a group of Native Americans in the Alaskan wilderness who are on the move because a deep, bitter cold has settled over the land. They are searching for fresh game to hunt. The central character, however, is Old Koskoosh — a grandfather whose son serves as the current chief of the tribe. In his younger days, Koskoosh himself held that position of leadership. At the point at which the tale begins, however, Koskoosh is so aged that he is close to dying of natural causes. His eyesight has nearly failed him, though he compensates by retaining a keen sense of hearing.
As the tribe sets out in search of animals to hunt, Koskoosh is left behind in the freezing cold. It is snowing, and the old former chief understands that he has been left so that he may die. The bulk of the story consists of Koskoosh reminiscing about his younger days. Finally, a pack of wolves descends upon him, and he is left to face his fate alone.
In truth, a number of aspects of this story are morbid and even outright depressing. The overarching theme concerns loss and the eternal continuity of nature. There is also considerable evidence that the author — or at least his narrator — holds the view that life is largely downhill after early adulthood. Koskoosh reflects more than once on the idea that the sole purpose of life is to carry on, and that for humans and most other living things, carrying on means procreating.
He recalls how a young girl can swiftly pass into womanhood, become highly desirable, and within a year or two take a husband and bear children. What remains of her life after that offers little to look forward to, according to the narrator: "With the coming of her offspring her looks left her. Her limbs dragged and shuffled, her eyes dimmed and bleared, and only the little children found joy against the withered cheek of the old squaw by the fire. Her task was done" (London). Such a view — that the only reason for living is to bring forth another life and then to fade away — is undeniably sad.
Fortunately, London quickly transitions from this bleak anecdote to what forms the central portion of the story: the old chief's memories of his past. He recalls the hardest of times, including a seven-year famine, and also the easiest of times, when there was so much meat and favorable weather that the tribe barely needed to hunt. Watching the chief's life unspool from its end is a compelling narrative choice. These scenes support the idea that one must have lived well to grow old — that old people are not fools. By revisiting Koskoosh's past exploits, London offers the reader glimpses of the excitement and vitality that once defined the old man's life.
The best parts of this story are when Koskoosh reminisces about his younger days growing up. I especially liked the part when he thought about the time in which the tribe had a surplus of food, and did not have very many things to worry about. It was necessary for London to include this period in order to show some of the good things about life. Life is certainly worth living, and this particular memory illustrates why. The reader also needs this reminder, given how much of the tale is steeped in sadness and loss. By choosing to illuminate some of the genuinely good times Koskoosh experienced, London makes the reader more able to accept the rest of his fate with a sense of peace rather than simple despair.
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