Jack London - Martin Eden

Jack London's semi-autobiographical novel Martin Eden was widely accepted in American literature at the beginning of the 20th century for its content heavily on social and ideological issues. London points to the vital importance of status and wealth in American society, while revealing the differences in mentality and values ​​between the different classes. One of the main themes of the novel is the American Dream, which can be summarized as that the path to success and prosperity is open to everyone, regardless of social class. Or the enormous disappointment of this ideal… London wrote the novel in the tradition of the Künstlerroman, which deals with an artist's transition from apprenticeship to maturity. It chronicles Martin's struggle to transform from an uneducated young worker to a successful and refined writer for the sake of his love. When the hero reaches his goal, he has already lost his motivation and excitement and is drifting towards a tragic end...