The Red One by Jack London (1918)
The story revolves around a young man who becomes obsessed with a red one, a rare and valuable gemstone. He embarks on a perilous journey to find it, facing numerous challenges and setbacks along the way. The narrative explores themes of obsession, greed, and the human condition.
By Jack London · First published 1918 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Horror · 11,359 words
First lines
THERE it was! The abrupt liberation of sound! As he timed it with his watch, Bassett likened it to the trump of an archangel. Walls of cities, he meditated, might well fall down before so vast and compelling a summons. For the thousandth time vainly he tried to analyse the tone-quality of that enormous peal that dominated the land far into the strong-holds of the surrounding tribes. The mountain gorge which was its source rang to the rising tide of it until it brimmed over and flooded earth and sky and air. With the wantonness of a sick man's fancy, he likened it to the mighty cry of some Titan of the Elder World vexed with misery or wrath. Higher and higher it arose, challenging and demanding in such profounds of volume that it seemed intended for ears beyond the narrow confines of the solar system. There was in it, too, the clamour of protest in that there were no ears to hear and comprehend its utterance.
What this Textopian page supports
The Red One is listed on Textopian as a novel by Jack London, dated 1918 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: 1918 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Horror, Psychological, Mystery
- Length: 11,359 words
- Structure: 1 section, 92 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Red One by Jack London
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The story involves an alien artifact, the Red One, which is a mysterious object from another world, suggesting advanced technology and extraterrestrial origins.
- Adventure — The narrative follows Bassett's perilous journey through the jungle, facing dangers from both the environment and the native tribes.
- Horror — The story contains elements of horror, including cannibalism, head-hunting, and the eerie, ominous presence of the Red One.
- Psychological — The protagonist's mental and physical struggles, along with his obsession with the Red One, highlight psychological themes.
Tags
Adventure · Fiction · Short Story · Science Fiction · Fantasy · Mystery · Thriller · Action · Pulp Fiction · Classic Literature · Early 20th Century · American Literature