Jack London, "Martin Eden": a summary of the chapters

Like his literary character, John Griffith Cheney, from his childhood, earned hard "for daily bread". The child sold newspapers, worked as a cleaner, a worker at the factory. Then he is hired by a sailor on a fishing vessel, like Martin Eden. The brief content of the novel in its first chapters is due to the self-identification of the novice writer, the sailor. After all, it was the journey - to the Bering Sea - that filled the soul of the future writer with such vivid impressions that he took up his pen. Then, like his Martin Eden, John Cheney decides to change his life by becoming a writer.

In some ways, the departure from the life of 40-year-old Jack London is similar to the way Martin Eden did it. The brief content of the book tells us about suicide. The former sailor dived and breathed into the lungs water. Experts associate the death of Jack London himself with suicide (although it is not proved) - an intentional overdose of morphine (the writer weakened the symptoms of renal failure). Further, the logic of the article leads us directly to a brief account of the content of the novel.

Chapters I-II. String plot. Dissonance: in appearance - sailor, inside - poet

The "Martin Eden" begins in a kindly ironic way. The summary of the first chapter shows us that Jack London, which obviously teases himself during his youth: physically strong, self-centered, but constrained by poverty and lack of education, sufficient for intellectual development.

His hero gets to dinner in the aristocratic house of the Morse family. The reason was that he, a twenty-year-old sailor, rebuffed local hooligans when they tried to rob his peer Arthur Morse.

Here he meets his sister Ruth, who studies at the university, and falls in love with her, prefanting her image. In turn, the girl made a greater impression of the male charisma of Martin and his passionate desire to learn.

It was not from noble motives that was invited, as Jack London, Martin Eden tells us. The summary of Chapter II tells us that behind the aristocratic and aristocratic nature of Arthur Morse was a banal human meanness. He wanted to ridicule his savior - "uneducated chump" in front of his family, after preliminary announcement of this visit, saying that he would lead an "interesting savage."

However, Martin was on top, using all his observability, all his "instant learning". Without knowing it, he ruined Arthur's plan.

When he tried to provoke him into a rude story, Martin led him so that the sullen's roughness was softened by good-natured humor, the spirit of adventure was accentuated and the beauty of the world and events that he saw was brightly conveyed. It also organically combined powerful energy and non-indifference to beauty.

Chapters III-V. The world is crippling, the world is bewildering

We see the temporary dwelling of the protagonist. "On Bird Rights" dwells here (judging by the way Jack London tells) Martin Eden. A brief outline of Chapter III is a description of his life in the home of his brother-in-law Bernard Higginbotham.

He is a shopkeeper by trade, and by nature - greedy, malicious person, prone to meanness. The sister of the protagonist, Gertrude, lived with him uneasy. He mercilessly exploited it.

Martin Eden lives in a "cramped closet" with a bed, a washbasin and a chair. Here, in bestial conditions, inspired by love for Ruth, he decides to change. He makes an important decision: to devote time to education, culture, hygiene, to rise to the level of his ideal - the "flower girl".

He is angered by the primitivism of his neighbor Jim, who spends his free time on dancing, drinking and girls, he refuses his offer to spend a boring time.

Martin decides that "he is not like that" and goes to the library. Not without irony about the first visit to this institution wrote in the novel Jack London "Martin Eden." The brief content of this story is the dejection of the main character from the number of "treasures of wisdom" surrounding him and the realization that he does not yet have the key to them (that is, the knowledge necessary for a full reading). He wandered through the halls of the Oakland library for a long time, helpless and confused, and then returned home with nothing.

Chapter VI-VIII. The stage of self-education

Time passed. Martin Eden enrolled at once to the Oakland and Barclay libraries. Moreover, he in each of them, except for his subscription, opened subscriptions for two of his sisters: Gertrude and Maria, and also - on Jim's apprentice. In his closet he wore piles of books, reading them day and night.

He began reading with the works of Swinburn, then drew attention to the works of Karl Marx, Riccardo, Adam Smith. I even tried to read Blavatsky's Secret Doctrine ...

He was looking for a meeting with Ruth. And even once he went to the theater being well-groomed, in a clean shirt and ironed trousers. Lizi Konolli wants to meet with him, - a beautiful brunette from a working family. Martin realized that in his heart there is room only for Ruth. On the advice of the librarian, he had arranged on the phone with her about the meeting. With Ruth, he talked only about his self-education. Her advice is standard: first an average, and then a higher education. However, the tuition fee exceeds Martin's income, and the family will not be able to help him. (How close it was to Jack London!)

The young man remained only one way - self-education. Ruth really helps him to master the grammar. After the grammar, he suddenly and not without success began to master poetics.

Martin began to meet with Ruth more often. The girl began to fall in love with him unnoticed.

Chapter IX-XIII. Martin Eden, the stage of self-knowledge. Ignoring by editors

The money earned by the sailor earlier was wasted, and with the purpose of earning he took part in an eight-month expedition to the Solomon Islands. The surrounding people noted: his speech became much more correct. In addition, in swimming, the captain-Norwegian gave him to read Shakespeare's volume.

Undoubtedly, the original evolution of the man-creator is a brief summary, formulated for the novel "Martin Eden". In English, good old Shakespearean English, Martine learned to express his thoughts in swimming.

Returning to Oakland, he did not immediately go to Ruth, but in three days he wrote an essay in the journal The Observer of San Francisco, and then the first part of the story about whalers. Now he wrote three thousand words a day. He expected to earn money to appear before his lady successful.

Soon the young man was waiting and disappointment: he failed the entrance exams in high school - all but grammar. In addition, the editors of the magazines, where he sent his compositions, returned them to him back, without publication.

Unexpected Ruth's call, and ... Martin walks her by the arm to the lecture. On the way, he meets and greets Lizzie Konolli and her girlfriend, trying to get to know him in the theater.

Returning home to his miserable little room, he, sitting on the bed, wondered painfully whether he was right, having fallen in love with Miss Morse, a woman not from her own circle. He wondered if his chosen love would bring him to the good?

Martin finally correctly identifies himself creatively. He was at first confused by the impenetrability of the editors, and then undertook a brainstorm. Thanks to painful reflections, he, doomed in his development to rely only on himself, comes to the right conclusions. Evaluating his previous literary failures, he reveals himself in ignorance, in the unformed understanding of beauty, in the immaturity of the senses. It is valuable that he develops these qualities with his own labor.

The tool for rethinking was Spencer's philosophy of the unity of the world. He finally realized how mature reasoning is constructed, realized how to write, came to the real creative process: to the denial of his former amateurish non-acceptance of the grayness of the world. He understood: much more important is the harmony of the world.

His conjectures about the excess of "general education" (persistently imposed by Ruth) were confirmed in the improvised "dispute for three", in which Ruth, Olney (Norman's friend) and he participated. The opinion was won that talent should develop only in a certain "own" direction.

Chapter XIV-XV. Self-knowledge

It is obvious that as a personal (not documentary, but artistic) confession on his way of creativity, wrote the novel Jack London ("Martin Eden"). The summary of the chapters of this book convinces: creativity develops through trial and error ...

Ruth, at Martin's request, reads his essays, in order, perhaps, to find slack. In part, she succeeds. However, at the same time, she feels the artistic force of Martin, who painstakingly describes the "wrong and dirty life" of ordinary people, which she does not know. The emotional strength of the novice author is so expressive that Ruth clearly senses her love. However, for her the subconscious ideal of a man is a type of her father.

By this time, Martin himself has been spiritually reborn. He recalls his six-year conflict with a boy named Maslyana Rozh. The fights were regular. In the end, opponents (already grown-up guys) almost killed each other. Silly, meaningless conflict. The protagonist is horrified by his inner world in those years ... He feels remorse.

Chapters XVI-XVIII. Work in the hotel laundry "Warm Keys"

You need money to study literature. Martin - an accomplice who works for $ 40 a month, housing and food - are guaranteed. Work - exhausting, unregulated. The young man felt himself a "ghost in the realm of labor." He abandons this vicious circle, which deprives forces and interest in life, fundamentally deciding: you can not let the emptiness into your life.

At the same time Morozov's aristocratic family is being discussed.

There is a conversation between my mother and her daughter - Mrs. and Miss Morse. Ruth tells us that Martin is in love with her, about his influence on him. Mrs. Morse retells the conversation to her husband. Spouses decide when Martin goes on a voyage (he did not earn money in the laundry), send his daughter east to Aunt Clara.

Chapters XX-XXIII. The love and betrothal of Ruth and Martina

Ruth finally falls in love with Martin. He instinctively wisely does not hurry to show his love. Ruth is the first to explain. She is worried about his inner energy, masculinity, talent.

Parents, in principle, against, but decide to consider them engaged, secretly hoping for their imminent break. They did not make a mistake by betting on the mercantile spirit of their daughter.

Chapters XX-XXIII. Breakthrough of the writer

The protagonist takes pictures of the room at the ill-bred Portuguese Maria Silva. He continues to write unpublished articles, desperately in poverty. He sells things: a coat, a bicycle, a suit, buying the simplest products on the proceeds. He starves, periodically dining with his sister and Ruth.

Suddenly, one magazine "Transcontinental Bulletin" agrees to publish his article "The Bell-ringing", however, not for a legitimate $ 100 (Martin needs to pay a debt of $ 56 in payment for purchased and eaten food, housing, things in a pawnshop). Scammers are going to estimate his work at only $ 5. He is trampled morally, his immunity is reduced, and the former sailor is seriously ill with the flu.

Suddenly, Martin's articles begin to be published, checks are gradually coming to small amounts from magazines. He pays with his debts. Finally, he is recognized as a writer.

However, he still has to learn the vicious "kitchen" of journalism. Soon non-payments of editorial offices begin. In this farce, Martin's return to the "Transcontinental Monthly" turns into five earned dollars. At the same time, the editors of the "Hornet" - strong, clean-shaven swindlers even "helped him to descend faster from the stairs". And although they then "drank in honor of dating", but $ 15 remained with the "winners".

Ruth is short-sighted in her perception of the ideal of a man. She does not recognize the talent of her chosen one, yet she wants Martin to have a "solid income" as an employee. She is convinced that he should get a job with her father.

In addition, Ruth is the child of her circle. She is embarrassed that her elect communicates with the poor.

Chapters XXXI-XXXVII. Creative maturity. Friendship with Brissenden

Sociable Martin meets a guest of Mr. Morse - Ress Brissendenom, freethinker, a man suffering from consumption, but in love with life. They, close in spirit people, become friends.

Рэсс has arrived from Arizona where two years passed a course of climatic treatment. Outwardly, he was of medium height, with "sloping shoulders," lively "brown eyes," aristocratic features: an aquiline nose and hollow cheeks.

He possessed encyclopedic erudition. Martin, after reading his poem "Efiremid" (one-day) - a philosophical rethinking of Man, called it a genius. He rethought a lot and in the conversation expressed his personal, unique judgments.

In particular, he explained with half a turn why the journals did not publish Martin's articles: "There is depth in you, and magazines do not need it ... They print garbage, and it is supplied to them in excess." After reading the verses of the former sailor, Ress expressed his opinion that he was a real poet. He also shrewdly warned Martin Eden "not to fly far," since "the wings of that one are too tender". Ruth, he characterized (with merciless truthfulness and Martin's indignation) "pale and insignificant." Her attempts to re-educate the sailor - "pathetic morality", due to "fear of life." Rass advised the main character to find a woman - "bright butterfly" with a "free soul."

In addition, he promises to acquaint him with people "also reading something", with whom Martin will have something to talk about. To do this, friends first "in the January evening" moved into the "working quarter for Market Street." Here they really met intelligent and educated people (idealist Norton, formerly Professor Craze). Martin (from Brissindin's submission) entered into an interesting dispute with Crazy.

CHAPTER XXXVIII. Hate and Harassment

The second time comrades come to the socialists' club. In discussing an interesting speech speaker appears and Martin. It simply brings clarity into the confusion of opinions, proceeding from the elementary laws of evolution. But here there is a young, zealous and sensational reporter.

He composed a libel about "fierce long-haired" socialists, and, having invented a speech that played out the word "revolution", put it into Martin's mouth, presenting him as a socialist.

In our opinion, it is extremely important to mention the irony with which the novel was written by Jack London (Martin Eden). The summary of the chapters in English invariably pays attention to one scene from the book ... It's about this insolent reporter. Trying to "deepen the subject," this shameless shameless young man who sincerely believes that he "makes Martin an advertisement" came to take an additional interview.

Just at the former sailor, Brissindin was also present ... With convincing irony (this is one of our favorite excerpts in the novel), Jack London tells with what comments, holding the reporter's head between his knees, spanked this liar "by doing his mommy's service," Martin.

In response, this rat wrote another lie - libel on Martin. Believe me, Jack London in this brief story expressed a lot of personal (he himself was hounded for socialist views).

The "nasty trick" of the reporter disorganized the protagonist of the book's personal life. Soon, with a letter, Ruth reported the break in the engagement. In the house to the Morzem footmen were no longer admitted to Martin, arguing that "there is no one at home."

It was five days after the meeting of friends, and the efforts of Martin "Eferemid" Brissinden was adopted by the magazine "Parthenon" with a sky-high fee of $ 350 and with an enthusiastic review of critics. Going to find a friend, Martin was shocked: he shot himself in a hotel bed, returning from him and passing his poem. In a state of crisis, tormented by lack of money, he completes his novel "Belated."

Chapters XLV. The life force leaves Martin Eden

Later he will transfer the received 350 $ to the executor of Brissindin together with the receipt on the debt of $ 100, which he gave him at the last meeting.

Further - the wheel of fortune began to work for Martin: it began to be published. First-class journals vying to publish his articles, offering hundreds of dollars for them. By mail, paid checks arrived, but it was too late. He, "burned from within," could not write any more. Martin was immensely lonely, losing Ruth and Brissinden. On the money he earned, he simply laughed philosophically.

However, his great heart found them after all a worthy use. His beloved sister, Gertrude, was exhausted by her husband's miserly work assigned to her. Martin insisted that she hire a servant for his money and then work for herself in joy, not "to wear."

Somewhat later, he meets his wandering partner in the laundry of Joe (they both left this exhausting and stupid job). Rich Martin gives Joe a small laundry.

Finally, confession comes to him. "Its price" at publishers grows on the order. He is fashionable. Before him the doors open, he is invited to the "honorable house". Even Mr. Morse considered it an honor if Martin visited his house. But even when Lizzy Konolly, who is in love with him from the meeting in the theater, is intelligent and energetic, he can not awaken him to life. He can not return his feelings and suddenly came, trying to revive the lost relationship, Ruth. He finally realizes the mercantilism of this girl and the fact that previously he did not love her, but some kind of "Ruth the ideal." Real Ruth was ready to destroy his talent.

Martin "is sick with a satiety of life," is cold from within and longs for peace.

Chapter XLVI. Towards death

Like rock leads Martin to death, he is drawn to the Marquesas Islands, devoid of vulgarity of civilization.

An inner voice tells him: "Take Lazy Konolli with you!", But the devastated Martin commits a fatal mistake, not taking her aboard the Mariposa.

Returning to his cabin in the first class, he takes up a volume of Swinbourne's poems, drawing attention to the philosophical lines about the frailty of human life. The suicidal motifs of the poet's lyrics find a response in Martin's tormented heart.

He throws himself into the sea. The ship sails away into the night, and Martin, assuming the vertical position of the body, tries, immersed in water, to breathe it into the lungs. This he does not succeed the first time. He determines the cause - the will to live. (It is curious that later Jack London will write a story under this name). However, with the following attempts, Martin manages to deceive the body, he plunges deeper, consciousness fades, rainbow visions arise ...

Instead of concluding

When discussing a novel, the question arises: what is its value? Is it worth reading a book, if the Internet already exists for almost any novel (including Martin Eden) is a summary? "Brifley", as a site with a library of short content, is very informative ...

I think hearing this, Jack London would be offended. After all, his book "Martin Eden" is a hymn to natural creativity, an ode to self-knowledge and work on oneself!

How useful it would be for modern writers and copywriters to feel the spirit of the hero of Jack London! Moreover, he is represented by the author as a living person, enabling the subsequent adherents of literature to avoid their mistakes.