Bald-Face by Jack London (1908)
The story revolves around a young man who becomes embroiled in the world of horse thieves and outlaws on the American frontier. He adopts the alias "Bald-Face" and becomes involved with a group of rough riders, learning about their code of conduct and way of life. The narrative explores themes of loyalty, honor, and redemption as Bald-Face navigates his new surroundings and confronts the harsh realities of the frontier.
By Jack London · First published 1908 · Genre: Adventure, Humor, Western · 1,553 words
First lines
"Talkin' of bear"
The Klondike King paused meditatively, and the group on the hotel porch hitched their chairs up closer.
What this Textopian page supports
Bald-Face is listed on Textopian as a short story by Jack London, dated 1908 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: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Humor, Western, Short Story
- Length: 1,553 words
- Structure: 1 section, 25 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Bald-Face 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 Bald-Face?
- How does this short story by Jack London fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Adventure — The story involves a thrilling encounter with dangerous wildlife, emphasizing survival and the protagonist's daring escape.
- Humor — The narrative includes humorous elements, such as the protagonist's misunderstanding and the comical resolution with another man.
- Western — Set in a rugged, frontier-like environment, the story features elements typical of Westerns, such as wilderness and self-reliance.
- Short Story — The work is a concise narrative focusing on a single incident, characteristic of short stories.
Tags
Western Fiction · Adventure Novel · American Literature · Historical Fiction · Outlaw Story · Frontier Life · Gold Rush Era · California Setting · Law and Order · Crime and Punishment · Social Commentary · Class Conflict