The Wife of a King by Jack London
This novel tells the story of a woman who marries into royalty and must navigate the complexities of court life while maintaining her own identity and sense of self. The narrative explores themes of power dynamics, social hierarchy, and the constraints placed on women in positions of privilege. The protagonist's relationships with those around her are central to the plot, including her husband, his family, and the servants who cater to their needs. Throughout the novel, the author examines the tensions between duty, loyalty, and personal desire, raising questions about what it means to be a wife, a queen, and an individual. The story is character-driven, with a focus on the inner lives and emotions of its female protagonist.
By Jack London · First published 1904 · Genre: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Romance · 6,643 words
First lines
Once when the northland was very young, the social and civic virtues were remarkably alike for their paucity and their simplicity. When the burden of domestic duties grew grievous, and the fireside mood expanded to a constant protest against its bleak loneliness, the adventurers from the Southland, in lieu of better, paid the stipulated prices and took unto themselves native wives. It was a foretaste of Paradise to the women, for it must be confessed that the white rovers gave far better care and treatment of them than did their Indian copartners. Of course, the white men themselves were satisfied with such deals, as were also the Indian men for that matter. Having sold their daughters and sisters for cotton blankets and obsolete rifles and traded their warm furs for flimsy calico and bad whisky, the sons of the soil promptly and cheerfully succumbed to quick consumption and other swift diseases correlated with the blessings of a superior civilization.
What this Textopian page supports
The Wife of a King is listed on Textopian as a novel by Jack London, dated 1904 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: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Romance, Drama, Social Commentary
- Length: 6,643 words
- Structure: 1 section, 79 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Wife of a King by Jack London
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Genres
- Adventure — The narrative is set in the rugged Northland and follows the journey and challenges faced by the characters, typical of adventure stories.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set during the Klondike Gold Rush, reflecting historical events and societal changes of the time.
- Romance — The plot centers around the relationship between Cal Galbraith and Madeline, exploring themes of love and loyalty.
- Drama — The story involves intense emotional conflicts and societal pressures, characteristic of dramatic narratives.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Romance · Adventure · Drama · Marriage · Royal Life · Social Hierarchy · Power Struggle · Love Triangle · Betrayal · Loyalty · Faithfulness