When God Laughs by Jack London
The story revolves around a wealthy and powerful man who has everything he could possibly want but feels empty inside. He is visited by a mysterious stranger who claims to be the devil and offers him a chance to see what his life would have been like if he had made different choices. The protagonist is shown visions of himself as a poor, struggling artist, and then as a successful businessman who has lost touch with his humanity. He sees how his wealth and power have isolated him from others and left him feeling unfulfilled. Through these visions, the protagonist comes to realize that true happiness and fulfillment come not from material possessions or social status, but from living a life of purpose and connection with others.
By Jack London · First published 1902 · Genre: Short Stories, Literary Fiction, Philosophical Fiction · 4,836 words
First lines
With compliments to Harry Cowell
"The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men's knees Bow, all men's prayers and sorrows climb Like incense toward them; yea, for these Are gods, Felise. "
What this Textopian page supports
When God Laughs is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: Jack London
- Date: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Stories, Literary Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Realism, Adventure
- Length: 4,836 words
- Structure: 1 section, 84 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for When God Laughs 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 When God Laughs?
- How does this short story by Jack London fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Short Stories first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Fiddler by Herman Melville
- A Days Lodging by Jack London
- A Valedictory by O. Henry
- The Octopus by Frank Norris
- Best Seller by O. Henry
- The Enchanted Profile by O. Henry
Genres
- Short Stories — The work is a collection of short stories, each with its own narrative and characters.
- Literary Fiction — The stories explore complex themes and character studies, focusing on human nature and existential questions.
- Philosophical Fiction — The narratives delve into philosophical discussions about life, love, and the human condition.
- Realism — The stories are grounded in realistic settings and situations, portraying life as it is.
Tags
Adventure · Fiction · Novel · Social Commentary · Class Struggle · Labor Rights · Marriage · Family · Love · Tragedy · Drama · Realism