The Madness of John Harned
This novel explores the theme of madness and its effects on individuals and society. The story revolves around a man who descends into madness due to his own guilt and paranoia, leading him to commit heinous crimes. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that the protagonist's actions are not just driven by his own personal demons but also by societal pressures and expectations.
By Jack London · First published 1902 · Genre: Short Story, Adventure, Drama · 7,472 words
First lines
I TELL this for a fact. It happened in the bull-ring at Quito. I sat in the box with John Harned, and with Maria Valenzuela, and with Luis Cervallos. I saw it happen. I saw it all from first to last. I was on the steamer Ecuadore from Panama to Guayaquil. Maria Valenzuela is my cousin. I have known her always. She is very beautiful. I am a Spaniard -- an Ecuadoriano, true, but I am descended from Pedro Patino, who was one of Pizarro's captains. They were brave men. They were heroes. Did not Pizarro lead three hundred and fifty Spanish cavaliers and four thousand Indians into the far Cordilleras in search of treasure? And did not all the four thousand Indians and three hundred of the brave cavaliers die on that vain quest? But Pedro Patino did not die. He it was that lived to found the family of the Patino. I am Ecuadoriano, true, but I am Spanish. I am Manuel de Jesus Patino. I own many haciendas, and ten thousand Indians are my slaves, though the law says they are free men who work by freedom of contract. The law is a funny thing. We Ecuadorianos laugh at it. It is our law. We make it for ourselves. I am Manuel de Jesus Patino. Remember that name. It will be written some day in history. There are revolutions in Ecuador. We call them elections. It is a good joke is it not? -- what you call a pun?
What this Textopian page supports
The Madness of John Harned is listed on Textopian as a novel 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: Novel
- Author: Jack London
- Date: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Story, Adventure, Drama, Social Commentary, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 7,472 words
- Structure: 1 section, 115 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Madness of John Harned 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 The Madness of John Harned?
- How does this novel by Jack London fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Short Story first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Short Story — The work is a concise narrative focusing on a specific event, typical of short stories.
- Adventure — The plot involves travel and exploration, with characters experiencing intense and dangerous situations.
- Drama — The story contains emotional and moral conflicts, particularly around the bullfight and its impact on the characters.
- Social Commentary — The narrative critiques cultural practices and societal norms, especially regarding bullfighting and human behavior.
Tags
Psychological Thriller · Mystery · Suspense · Crime Fiction · Gothic Horror · Dark Fantasy · Literary Fiction · Classic Novel · American Literature · 19th Century Setting · Small Town Secrets · Family Drama