A Day's Lodging by Jack London
The story revolves around a young man who seeks to escape his mundane life and find adventure. He travels to the city, where he becomes embroiled in a world of crime and deception. The narrative explores themes of identity, morality, and the human condition through the protagonist's experiences with various characters, including a mysterious woman and a charismatic con artist.
By Jack London · First published 1919 · Genre: Adventure, Drama, Realism · 7,059 words
First lines
It was the gosh-dangdest stampede I ever seen. A thousand dog-teams hittin' the ice. You couldn't see 'm fer smoke. Two white men an' a Swede froze to death that night, an' there was a dozen busted their lungs. But didn't I see with my own eyes the bottom of the water-hole? It was yellow with gold like a mustard-plaster. That's why I staked the Yukon for a minin' claim. That's what made the stampede. An' then there was nothin' to it. That's what I said -- NOTHIN' to it. An' I ain't got over guessin' yet. -- NARRATIVE OF SHORTY.
What this Textopian page supports
A Day's Lodging is listed on Textopian as a novella by Jack London, dated 1919 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Jack London
- Date: 1919 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Drama, Realism, Psychological Fiction, Western
- Length: 7,059 words
- Structure: 1 section, 206 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Day's Lodging by Jack London
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Day's Lodging?
- How does this novella by Jack London fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Piece Of Steak by Jack London
- South Of The Slot by Jack London
- To Repel Boarders by Jack London
- Typhus by Anton Chekhov
- The Hobo And The Fairy by Jack London
- The Confession by Guy De Maupassant
Genres
- Adventure — The narrative centers around a journey through harsh, cold environments, highlighting survival and the challenges of the wilderness.
- Drama — The story involves complex interpersonal relationships and emotional conflicts, particularly between the protagonist and his estranged wife.
- Realism — The detailed depiction of the environment and the characters' struggles reflects a realistic portrayal of life in the Klondike during the gold rush.
- Psychological Fiction — The internal struggles and motivations of the protagonist are explored, particularly in relation to his past and his interactions with other characters.
Tags
Adventure · Fiction · Short Story · Literary Fiction · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Realism · Naturalism · Social Commentary · Class Struggle · Poverty · Homelessness