A Piece of Steak by Jack London
The story revolves around a young man who becomes embroiled in a conflict between two rival gangs in the city's underworld. He is forced to navigate this treacherous world and confront his own morality in order to survive. The narrative explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption as the protagonist grapples with the harsh realities of life on the streets. Through his experiences, he comes to realize that true strength lies not in physical prowess or material possessions, but in one's ability to persevere in the face of adversity. Ultimately, the story presents a nuanced portrayal of the human condition, highlighting the complexities and contradictions that define us all.
By Jack London · First published 1902 · Genre: Realism, Naturalism, Sports Fiction · 8,914 words
First lines
With the last morsel of bread Tom King wiped his plate clean of the last particle of flour gravy and chewed the resulting mouthful in a slow and meditative way. When he arose from the table, he was oppressed by the feeling that he was distinctly hungry. Yet he alone had eaten. The two children in the other room had been sent early to bed in order that in sleep they might forget they had gone supperless. His wife had touched nothing, and had sat silently and watched him with solicitous eyes. She was a thin, worn woman of the working-class, though signs of an earlier prettiness were not wanting in her face. The flour for the gravy she had borrowed from the neighbour across the hall. The last two ha'pennies had gone to buy the bread.
What this Textopian page supports
A Piece of Steak is listed on Textopian as a short story by Jack London, dated 1902 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Jack London
- Date: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Realism, Naturalism, Sports Fiction, Tragedy, Social Commentary
- Length: 8,914 words
- Structure: 1 section, 72 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Piece of Steak by Jack London
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Piece of Steak?
- How does this short story by Jack London fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Realism first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Days Lodging by Jack London
- The Elusive Tenderloin by O. Henry
- South Of The Slot by Jack London
- A Visit Of Condolence by Henry Lawson
- The Grasshopper by Anton Chekhov
- Transformation Of Martin Burney by O. Henry
Genres
- Realism — The story provides a detailed and unflinching portrayal of the struggles of an aging prizefighter, emphasizing the harsh realities of life and the inevitability of aging.
- Naturalism — The narrative explores themes of determinism and the influence of environment and heredity on human behavior, highlighting the protagonist's lack of control over his circumstances.
- Sports Fiction — The plot centers around the world of boxing, focusing on the protagonist's experiences and challenges within the sport.
- Tragedy — The story follows the downfall of the protagonist, whose dreams and efforts are ultimately thwarted by the passage of time and his physical decline.
Tags
Literary Fiction · Short Story · American Literature · Realism · Naturalism · Social Commentary · Class Struggle · Working Class · Poverty · Hunger · Desperation · Human Condition