Just Meat by Jack London (1902)
The novel revolves around a young man who returns to his rural home after serving time for murder. He seeks redemption and a chance to start anew, but the harsh realities of his past and present threaten to consume him. The story explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the struggle between nature and civilization.
By Jack London · First published 1902 · Genre: Crime, Psychological Thriller, Suspense · 7,899 words
First lines
He strolled to the corner and glanced up and down the intersecting street, but saw nothing save the oases of light shed by the street lamps at the successive crossings. Then he strolled back the way he had come. He was a shadow of a man, sliding noiselessly and without undue movement through the semi-darkness. Also he was very alert, like a wild animal in the jungle, keenly perceptive and receptive. The movement of another in the darkness about him would need to have been more shadowy than he to have escaped him.
What this Textopian page supports
Just Meat 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: Crime, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Drama, Tragedy
- Length: 7,899 words
- Structure: 1 section, 197 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Just Meat 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 Just Meat?
- How does this short story by Jack London fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Crime first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Faith Of Men by Jack London
- The Abysmal Brute by Jack London
- Samuel by Jack London
- To Kill A Man by Jack London
- Brown Wolf by Jack London
- Which Make Men Remember by Jack London
Genres
- Crime — The plot revolves around a robbery and murder, focusing on the criminal activities and the consequences faced by the perpetrators.
- Psychological Thriller — The story delves into the psychological tension between the two main characters, exploring themes of trust, betrayal, and paranoia.
- Suspense — The narrative maintains a high level of suspense, with the characters constantly on edge and the threat of discovery looming over them.
- Drama — The interactions between the characters and their internal conflicts provide a dramatic exploration of human nature and morality.
Tags
Fiction · Novel · Adventure · Literary Fiction · Classic · American Literature · Wilderness · Survival · Human Nature · Philosophy · Existentialism · Psychological Insight