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Jack London's Short Story 'All Gold Canyon'

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A story of such intensity. Jack London short story “All Gold Canyon” is a story of nature, death, money, discovery, and greed. The meaning behind the story, the imagery of the canyon and the tragic ending of the greedy man represent Jack London's view of nature and life. The meaning behind the story but comes clear once the background of Jack wanted is understood. John Griffith London (1876-1916) was born in San Francisco of an unmarried mother of wealthy background, Flora Wellman. His father may have been William Chaney, a journalist, lawyer, and major figure in the development of American astrology. This would explain London's vivid imagery in the short story. Because Flora was ill, Jack was raised through infancy by an ex-slave, Virginia …show more content…

The miner comes to the canyon in search of wealth and prosperity as he mines the hills for gold. The two main characters in the story revisit human nature and the destruction mankind brings into the world. Humans bring chaos into this amazing place with their actions by littering, cutting down trees and building companies that pollute the atmosphere, and many more harmful actions. Just as the miner wanders in and destroys the canyons hillside is the search for gold, man destroys God’s creation due to selfishness. To continue, the stranger at the end is willing to commit murder for the gold. He watches him for days, letting the miner do all the work and do suddenly when the man finds “Mr. Pocket”, the useless stranger tries to kill him to take the gold for himself. “ Mr. Pocket” prevails at the end of this journey. After the gold is found, the failed murder results in the killing of the stranger. This situation proves the world's love of people and the world. People out for themselves with the passion of more greed soon fail. The power of money motivates people to do the unthinkable. London uses his past experience to give a straight how a wandering man out for themselves and the world brings on

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