Aloha Oe by Jack London (1898)
The story revolves around a young Hawaiian princess who falls in love with an American sailor. The narrative explores themes of cultural clashes and the complexities of their relationship amidst the backdrop of Hawaii's changing social landscape during the late 19th century.
By Jack London · First published 1898 · Genre: Romance, Adventure, Cultural · 3,088 words
First lines
Never are there such departures as from the dock at Honolulu. The great transport lay with steam up, ready to pull out. A thousand persons were on her decks; five thousand stood on the wharf. Up and down the long gangway passed native princes and princesses, sugar kings and the high officials of the Territory. Beyond, in long lines, kept in order by the native police, were the carriages and motor-cars of the Honolulu aristocracy. On the wharf the Royal Hawaiian Band played "Aloha Oe," and when it finished, a stringed orchestra of native musicians on board the transport took up the same sobbing strains, the native woman singer's voice rising birdlike above the instruments and the hubbub of departure. It was a silver reed, sounding its clear, unmistakable note in the great diapason of farewell.
What this Textopian page supports
Aloha Oe is listed on Textopian as a short story by Jack London, dated 1898 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: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Adventure, Cultural, Coming-of-Age, Social Commentary
- Length: 3,088 words
- Structure: 1 section, 31 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Aloha Oe 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 Aloha Oe?
- How does this short story by Jack London fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romance first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Romance — The central theme revolves around the romantic tension and unspoken love between Dorothy and Steve, culminating in a poignant farewell.
- Adventure — The narrative includes elements of adventure, such as surf riding, horse riding, and exploring volcanic landscapes, which are integral to the characters' experiences.
- Cultural — The story is deeply embedded in Hawaiian culture, with references to local customs, music, and societal norms, particularly regarding racial identity.
- Coming-of-Age — Dorothy's transformation from a girl to a woman, influenced by her experiences in Hawaii, is a key aspect of the narrative.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Romance · Adventure · Travelogue · Memoir · Autobiographical · Literary Nonfiction · Classic Literature · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Pacific Island Setting · Hawaiian Culture