Lost Face by Jack London (1910)
The story revolves around a young man who has been trained to be an assassin and thief from a young age by a mysterious figure known only as the Old Man. He is sent on a mission to steal a valuable gemstone, but he begins to question his morality and the true nature of his work. As he navigates the complexities of his profession, he becomes embroiled in a web of deceit and betrayal that threatens to destroy him. The young man's journey is marked by violence, loss, and self-discovery as he grapples with the consequences of his actions. Throughout the story, themes of identity, morality, and the human condition are explored through the protagonist's experiences. The narrative is a commentary on the darker aspects of human nature and the corrupting influence of power and greed.
By Jack London · First published 1910 · Genre: Adventure, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction · 5,570 words
First lines
It was the end. Subienkow had travelled a long trail of bitterness and horror, homing like a dove for the capitals of Europe, and here, farther away than ever, in Russian America, the trail ceased. He sat in the snow, arms tied behind him, waiting the torture. He stared curiously before him at a huge Cossack, prone in the snow, moaning in his pain. The men had finished handling the giant and turned him over to the women. That they exceeded the fiendishness of the men, the man's cries attested.
What this Textopian page supports
Lost Face is listed on Textopian as a short story by Jack London, dated 1910 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: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Survival, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 5,570 words
- Structure: 1 section, 100 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Lost 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
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Lost 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?
Similar titles
- Peter God by James Oliver Curwood
- Love Of Life by Jack London
- To The Man On The Trail by Jack London
- The Valley Of Silent Men by James Oliver Curwood
- The Gold Hunters Of The North by Jack London
- Where The Trail Forks by Jack London
Genres
- Adventure — The plot revolves around the protagonist's perilous journey through harsh landscapes and encounters with savage tribes, embodying the spirit of adventure.
- Literary Fiction — The story explores deep themes of identity, fate, and the human condition, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Historical Fiction — Set against the backdrop of Russian America and the fur trade, the narrative incorporates historical elements and cultural contexts.
- Survival — The protagonist faces extreme conditions and must navigate life-or-death situations, highlighting themes of survival.
Tags
Adventure · Fiction · Short Story · Literary Fiction · Classic Literature · American Literature · Exploration · Survival · Wilderness · Isolation · Identity · Self-Discovery