Good-Bye, Jack by Jack London (1909)
The novel revolves around a young man who returns to his hometown after serving time in prison for murder. He seeks revenge against the people he believes wronged him and his family. The story explores themes of justice, morality, and redemption.
By Jack London · First published 1909 · Genre: Drama, Historical Fiction, Adventure · 4,422 words
First lines
Hawaii is a queer place. Everything socially is what I may call topsy- turvy. Not but what things are correct. They are almost too much so. But still things are sort of upside down. The most ultra-exclusive set there is the "Missionary Crowd. " It comes with rather a shock to learn that in Hawaii the obscure martyrdom-seeking missionary sits at the head of the table of the moneyed aristocracy. But it is true. The humble New Englanders who came out in the third decade of the nineteenth century, came for the lofty purpose of teaching the kanakas the true religion, the worship of the one only genuine and undeniable God. So well did they succeed in this, and also in civilizing the kanaka, that by the second or third generation he was practically extinct. This being the fruit of the seed of the Gospel, the fruit of the seed of the missionaries (the sons and the grandsons) was the possession of the islands themselves, -- of the land, the ports, the town sites, and the sugar plantations: The missionary who came to give the bread of life remained to gobble up the whole heathen feast.
What this Textopian page supports
Good-Bye, Jack is listed on Textopian as a short story by Jack London, dated 1909 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: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Drama, Historical Fiction, Adventure, Social Commentary, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 4,422 words
- Structure: 1 section, 63 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Good-Bye, Jack by Jack London
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Good-Bye, Jack?
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- Where does Drama first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Drama — The narrative focuses on intense emotional experiences and personal conflicts, particularly surrounding themes of fear, disease, and societal expectations.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in a specific historical context, exploring the social and cultural dynamics of Hawaii during a particular period.
- Adventure — The protagonist's experiences and actions, such as duels and political involvement, contribute to a sense of adventure and exploration.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques societal structures and norms, particularly the influence of missionaries and the treatment of lepers in Hawaii.
Tags
Adventure · Fiction · Novel · Short Story Collection · Classic Literature · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Friendship · Loss · Grief