War of the classes examines the rising tensions between the working class and the capitalist elite, offering a passionate critique of economic inequality and industrial power. Jack London presents a direct, analytical exploration of social conflict, drawing on his observations of labor movements and his belief in socialism as a transformative force. The opening establishes the evolution of socialist thought in America, tracing its shift from public ridicule to political legitimacy. Through recollections of his early experiences, London reflects on how industrial expansion and economic disparity exposed the reality of class division. His arguments emphasize the inevitability of conflict between labor and capital, framing this struggle as a fundamental aspect of social progress. The tone is both urgent and reflective, urging collective awareness and organized resistance as means of challenging the established order. By connecting historical development with moral and economic insight, London positions the class struggle not merely as an economic issue but as a human and ethical imperative for justice and equality.
Jack London, born John Griffith Chaney on January 12, 1876, in San Francisco, California, was an American novelist, journalist, and activist. He is considered a pioneer of commercial fiction and a key figure in the rise of American magazines. London became one of the first American authors to achieve international fame and wealth through his writing. His works, which often explored themes of survival, individualism, and nature, were heavily influenced by thinkers like Friedrich Nietzsche, Charles Darwin, and Karl Marx. London married twice; his first wife was Elizabeth Maddern, whom he married in 1900 and divorced in 1904, and his second wife was Charmian London, whom he married in 1905 and remained with until his death. He had two daughters, Joan and Becky London. Jack London's adventurous spirit was reflected in his personal life, as well as in his writing, where he drew from his own experiences, including his time in the Klondike and his travels around the world. He passed away at the age of 40 on November 22, 1916, in Glen Ellen, California.