Independent Researcher
Discussion
Started 6 October 2024
Martin Eden’s Formula for Success
Jack London made a lasting and valuable contribution to 20th-century American literature. One of his iconic novels, Martin Eden, is a brilliant exploration of self-discovery, the search for meaning, joy, and fame. The work raises issues of social inequalities, the everyday challenges of the 19th-century working class, and the moral suffering associated with disillusionment. The main character, Martin Eden, is dedicated to achieving great success through his writing, knowing that it requires tremendous effort, perseverance, and a never-give-up mindset. He also offers another perspective on success in the reflection: "If you want to be successful, you must have friends; if you want to be more successful, you should have enemies."
I would like to discuss: what is your perspective on this quote?
Most recent answer
Thank you, John, for mentioning that memorable place. Although more than a century has passed since Jack London's death, his universal works have challenged the invincible power of time, winning the exclusive ticket to eternity. His literary heritage, as part of the intellectual and spiritual wealth of world culture, will continue to spark insightful, heartfelt, and bright ideas, guiding his readers through existential quests, struggles, and victories.
Popular replies (1)
Independent Researcher
Thank you for your response. Martin Eden's character is multidimensional, demonstrating existential and intellectual depth. His soul is heavy with fragments of shattered dreams, carrying the terrible bitterness of disillusionment. His ungrounded ideals, unable to stand the test of reality, are lost in a world where materialism is preferred over substance and money is valued over eternal principles. Martin Eden's death can be interpreted in both literal and metaphorical ways. In the context of metaphor, his death symbolizes the incompatibility between ideals and harsh reality, as well as between moral and spiritual values and materialistic priorities. With his existential quest, emotional, and psychological complexities, Martin Eden's character holds a lasting place in American literature.
5 Recommendations
All replies (6)
Al-Azhar University
The hard times in Jack London’s personal life have been the major themes in his literary production, and surely going hand in hand with the often attributed to Thomas Woodrow Wilson’s above-mentioned quotation. Jack London’s anguish with the abject poverty, hard child-labor, and the social injustice led to his life-long political struggle with the capitalist and elitist ideology of the American culture. His failed marriage to Bessie Maddern, and the turmoil fluctuations of his career and social relationships made him far greater socially stubborn. His literary fame, accompanied with wide-range public criticism, made him more persistent on a due, flying color success. The works of Jack London are vivid depictions of his personal life phases of struggle. You could make use of Biographical, Historical, Sociological, Marxist, or even Cultural theories of criticism to underscore the elements of self-discovery and realisation in Martin Eden’s journey, steered by the hardships of Jack London’s personal life.
2 Recommendations
Independent Researcher
Alamir Muhamad Hindawy Sultan, thank you for your response. Jack London's personal life indeed had a huge impact on his works, shaping his worldview and contributing to his broader aesthetic perceptions. In addition to the socio-cultural context, Jack London's works can also be analyzed from the perspectives of philosophy, naturalism, and critical realism.
3 Recommendations
NewMexico+Minnesota in USA
Re: "If you want to be successful, you must have friends; if you want to be more successful, you should have enemies."
I won't directly comment on this quote, but will address the "Martin Eden" character, whose surname "Eden" suggests he aspired to create an "eden" for himself on this earth-plane of wealth, status, justice, inequity, etc.
Unfortunately, his aspirations were misplaced. Martin strove to transcend his born-status and become an educated and respected writer in the eyes of his "peers". All his striving were for naught!
He never realized that he should have pursued what his Real-self asked of him: To transcend the human earth-plane and its limitations. This is his tragedy, and the tragedy of most of us earthlings. Interestingly, the novel ends as Martin ends his life: "... and then he knew". He knew too late!
Thus, the above quote addresses the wrong question and suggests the wrong kind of success.
2 Recommendations
Independent Researcher
Thank you for your response. Martin Eden's character is multidimensional, demonstrating existential and intellectual depth. His soul is heavy with fragments of shattered dreams, carrying the terrible bitterness of disillusionment. His ungrounded ideals, unable to stand the test of reality, are lost in a world where materialism is preferred over substance and money is valued over eternal principles. Martin Eden's death can be interpreted in both literal and metaphorical ways. In the context of metaphor, his death symbolizes the incompatibility between ideals and harsh reality, as well as between moral and spiritual values and materialistic priorities. With his existential quest, emotional, and psychological complexities, Martin Eden's character holds a lasting place in American literature.
5 Recommendations
NewMexico+Minnesota in USA
Thank you, Amalya, for reminding me of Martin Eden's multidensionality, and his pursuit of his dream, only to become jaded to Life. Jack London did a superb job of describing his own struggles, which led to his eventual suicide. I once toured his winery in the Napa Valley in California, where he is buried. I still felt the presence of a great man, who explored so many philosophies and so much of Life's challenges, and shared them so well in his books.
2 Recommendations
Independent Researcher
Thank you, John, for mentioning that memorable place. Although more than a century has passed since Jack London's death, his universal works have challenged the invincible power of time, winning the exclusive ticket to eternity. His literary heritage, as part of the intellectual and spiritual wealth of world culture, will continue to spark insightful, heartfelt, and bright ideas, guiding his readers through existential quests, struggles, and victories.
Similar questions and discussions
What is Existential Meaninglessness?
Human life should be meaningful, otherwise it lacks in purpose, direction, and as a result, any advancement. In your perspective, what is existential meaninglessness? If you are interested in this topic, you can participate in my project by following this link: https://www.researchgate.net/post/Call_for_Collaboration_Existential_Threats_of_Nihilism
Related Publications
In the 19th century, Hirata Atsutane strived to demonstrate the existence of an ancient native writing, prior to the adoption of Chinese characters: “writing of gods’ age”.