The Tears of Ah Kim by Jack London
This novel tells the story of a young Korean boy who is sold into slavery and forced to work on a farm in California during the late 19th century. The narrative explores themes of oppression, exploitation, and the struggles of immigrant laborers in America. Through Ah Kim's experiences, the novel critiques the harsh realities of capitalism and the treatment of marginalized groups.
By Jack London · First published 1903 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Cultural Fiction, Historical Fiction · 6,869 words
First lines
THERE was a great noise and racket, but no scandal, in Honolulu's Chinatown. Those within hearing distance merely shrugged their shoulders and smiled tolerantly at the disturbance as an affair of accustomed usualness. "What is it? " asked Chin Mo, down with a sharp pleurisy, of his wife, who had paused for a second at the open window to listen.
"Only Ah Kim," was her reply. "His mother is beating him again."
What this Textopian page supports
The Tears of Ah Kim is listed on Textopian as a short story by Jack London, dated 1903 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: 1903 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Cultural Fiction, Historical Fiction, Drama, Romance
- Length: 6,869 words
- Structure: 1 section, 96 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Tears of Ah Kim by Jack London
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Tears of Ah Kim?
- How does this short story by Jack London fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The narrative focuses on character development, cultural themes, and the human condition, typical of literary fiction.
- Cultural Fiction — The story explores Chinese cultural traditions and their clash with modernity in a Hawaiian setting.
- Historical Fiction — Set in a specific historical context, it reflects the immigrant experience and societal changes in early 20th-century Hawaii.
- Drama — The plot centers around personal and familial conflicts, emphasizing emotional and relational dynamics.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Adventure · Coming-of-Age · Colonialism · Cultural Clash · Identity Crisis · Imperialism · Literary Fiction · Mystery · Novel of Manners · Philosophical Themes · Psychological Insight