Martin Eden

Author: Jack London
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-12-01
Features: Martin Eden portrays the materialism, vulgarity, hypocrisy, and suppression of culture and talent in American society at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as the flaws of the American publishing industry at the time through the protagonist Martin Eden. The novel's male protagonist, a sailor named Martin Eden, accidentally arrives at the home of a wealthy young lady, Ruth, and is overwhelmed by the opulence and warmth he has never seen before. He falls in love with Ruth and the society she belongs to, determined to climb the social ladder. After enduring countless hardships, he succeeds but discovers that the society is actually vulgar, shallow, and hypocritical; and the young lady is far from pure. Although his works later become wildly popular, bringing him immense wealth and high honors, he grows tired of it and ultimately takes his own life, staging a thought-provoking tragedy.