Point Of View And Naturalism In Jack London's The Law Of Life

Jack London's "The Law of Life" is a powerful short story that exemplifies the tenets of Naturalism, a literary movement that emphasizes the influence of environment and instinct on human and animal behavior. Naturalism often portrays characters as subject to forces beyond their control, highlighting the indifference of nature and the struggle for survival. The point of view in "The Law of Life" is crucial in conveying these themes. The story employs a third-person limited perspective, primarily focusing on the thoughts and sensations of Old Koskoosh, an elderly member of a Native American tribe left behind to die as the tribe moves on in search of food. This narrative choice profoundly shapes the reader's understanding of the story's themes and the naturalistic worldview it presents.

The Third-Person Limited Perspective

The use of a third-person limited point of view allows the reader to enter the mind of Old Koskoosh, experiencing the world as he does. We are privy to his memories, his fears, and his acceptance of his fate. This intimate access is essential for understanding the naturalistic elements of the story. Naturalism often depicts characters driven by instinct and the harsh realities of their environment. By focusing on Koskoosh's internal experience, London emphasizes the primal nature of his existence and the inevitability of his death. This technique immerses the reader in Koskoosh's world, making his struggle and eventual demise all the more poignant. Through his eyes, we witness the stark reality of the "law of life", the natural cycle of birth, survival, and death, devoid of sentimentality or moral judgment. The narrative perspective enhances the story's impact by restricting the reader's knowledge to Koskoosh's perceptions. We only know what he knows, feel what he feels, and fear what he fears. This limitation is crucial in establishing the tone of isolation and inevitability that permeates the story. Koskoosh's physical isolation mirrors his emotional and spiritual isolation, a common theme in Naturalistic literature. The reader is trapped with Koskoosh in his final hours, sharing his solitude and confronting the stark reality of his situation. This intimacy fosters a deep sense of empathy for the character, despite the seemingly detached and unsentimental portrayal of nature's indifference.

The point of view also allows London to subtly convey the broader themes of Naturalism without resorting to didactic pronouncements. Instead of explicitly stating the "law of life", London shows it through Koskoosh's memories and his present experience. Koskoosh recalls the story of the moose, a powerful creature brought down by wolves, illustrating the harsh reality that even the strong succumb to the forces of nature. This memory serves as a microcosm of Koskoosh's own situation, highlighting the universal struggle for survival. The third-person limited perspective enables London to weave these symbolic elements seamlessly into the narrative, enhancing the story's thematic depth without disrupting its realistic portrayal of Koskoosh's experience. Furthermore, the limited perspective underscores the naturalistic theme of human insignificance in the face of nature's vastness and indifference. Koskoosh is but one small being in a world governed by primal instincts and immutable laws. His life and death are significant to him, but to the larger world, they are merely part of the endless cycle of life and death. The reader, confined to Koskoosh's viewpoint, shares this sense of insignificance, further reinforcing the story's naturalistic message. This narrative strategy is vital in conveying the profound sense of loneliness and abandonment that Koskoosh experiences, which is a recurring motif in Naturalistic literature. His isolation is not just physical; it is also existential, stemming from the realization that he is alone in the face of death and the uncaring universe. The restricted perspective heightens this feeling, as the reader is also isolated with Koskoosh, cut off from any external comfort or reassurance.

Naturalistic Themes Reflected in the Point of View

The point of view in "The Law of Life" is instrumental in reflecting several key characteristics of Naturalism. One of the most prominent themes is the indifference of nature. Nature is not portrayed as benevolent or malevolent, but simply as a force operating according to its own laws, without regard for human suffering. Through Koskoosh's eyes, we see the cold, unforgiving landscape and the relentless cycle of life and death. The third-person limited perspective ensures that the reader experiences this indifference directly, without the filter of a detached narrator or the comfort of a sentimentalized view of nature. Koskoosh's acceptance of his fate stems from his understanding of this indifference; he knows that the tribe's survival depends on their ability to move on, and he accepts his role in the natural order. This resignation, born from a clear-eyed understanding of nature's harshness, is a hallmark of Naturalistic literature.

Another core theme of Naturalism is the influence of instinct and heredity on behavior. Koskoosh's actions are driven by his primal instincts and his ingrained understanding of the natural world. He does not rail against his fate or seek to escape it; instead, he draws on his ancestral knowledge and his deep-seated connection to the land. The story's point of view allows us to witness this instinctive behavior firsthand. We see Koskoosh reliving his memories, drawing strength from his past experiences and the wisdom of his ancestors. These memories are not merely sentimental recollections; they are vital to his understanding of his present situation and his acceptance of his impending death. The narrative perspective, by focusing on Koskoosh's internal world, highlights the profound influence of his heritage and his instinctive responses to the challenges he faces. This focus on instinctual behavior is a key element of Naturalism, emphasizing the idea that humans are driven by primal urges and the inherited traits that have allowed them to survive.

The struggle for survival is a central theme in Naturalistic literature, and it is vividly portrayed in "The Law of Life". Koskoosh's abandonment is a direct consequence of the tribe's struggle to survive in a harsh environment. The tribe must move on to find food, and Koskoosh, weakened by age and infirmity, cannot keep up. His fate is a harsh but necessary reality, dictated by the demands of survival. The third-person limited point of view allows the reader to experience this struggle from Koskoosh's perspective, making it all the more poignant. We feel his physical pain, his fear, and his loneliness, but we also witness his stoic acceptance of his fate. This acceptance is not passive resignation; it is an active acknowledgment of the "law of life", the relentless struggle for existence that governs the natural world. The story's narrative perspective underscores the brutal realities of survival, where compassion and sentimentality are luxuries that cannot be afforded. Koskoosh's plight illustrates the naturalistic view that life is a constant battle against the elements, where only the fittest survive. This struggle is not just physical; it is also psychological and emotional, as Koskoosh confronts his own mortality and the indifference of the world around him. The limited perspective intensifies the reader's awareness of this struggle, fostering a deeper understanding of the naturalistic worldview.

Koskoosh's Internal Monologue and the Naturalistic Narrative

Koskoosh's internal monologue, as conveyed through the third-person limited point of view, is crucial to the story's naturalistic narrative. His thoughts and memories reveal his deep understanding of the natural world and his acceptance of his place within it. The reader is privy to Koskoosh's reflections on his past, his encounters with death, and his observations of the behavior of animals. These internal musings serve to illustrate the cyclical nature of life and death, a central theme in Naturalism. Koskoosh's memories, such as the story of the moose, are not mere anecdotes; they are symbolic representations of the larger forces at play in the natural world. The point of view allows London to seamlessly integrate these symbolic elements into the narrative, enhancing the story's thematic depth. Through Koskoosh's internal monologue, we also gain insight into his emotional state. He experiences fear and loneliness, but he also displays a remarkable stoicism and acceptance. This emotional complexity is characteristic of Naturalistic literature, which often portrays characters as subject to powerful emotions while also acknowledging the limitations imposed by their environment and their instincts. The narrative perspective, by granting access to Koskoosh's innermost thoughts, allows the reader to appreciate the full range of his emotional experience, even as he confronts his inevitable demise.

The story’s point of view further highlights the naturalistic theme of determinism. Koskoosh's fate is determined by his age, his physical condition, and the harsh realities of his environment. He has no control over these factors; he is simply a pawn in the game of life, subject to forces beyond his control. The third-person limited perspective underscores this sense of determinism by restricting the reader's knowledge to Koskoosh's experience. We see the world as he does, and we understand that his fate is sealed. This sense of inevitability is a hallmark of Naturalistic literature, which often portrays characters as trapped by their circumstances and their own natures. Koskoosh's acceptance of his fate is not a sign of weakness; it is a recognition of the deterministic forces that shape his life. He understands that he is part of a larger natural order, and he accepts his role in that order. The narrative perspective, by focusing on Koskoosh's internal experience, makes this acceptance all the more compelling. It allows the reader to understand the psychological and emotional dimensions of determinism, as Koskoosh confronts his own lack of agency in the face of nature's power.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the point of view in Jack London's "The Law of Life" is a critical element in conveying the story's naturalistic themes. The third-person limited perspective, focusing on the thoughts and sensations of Old Koskoosh, allows the reader to experience the indifference of nature, the influence of instinct, and the struggle for survival from a deeply personal vantage point. Through Koskoosh's eyes, we witness the harsh realities of the natural world and the inevitability of death. The narrative perspective enhances the story's thematic depth, creating a powerful and poignant portrayal of the "law of life." The story's lasting impact lies in its ability to immerse the reader in Koskoosh's world, forcing us to confront the fundamental truths of existence. By limiting our perspective to Koskoosh's experience, London underscores the naturalistic view that humans are but one small part of a vast and uncaring universe, subject to the same laws that govern all living things. This narrative strategy is essential in conveying the story's profound message about the human condition and our place in the natural order.