Sailing West: The Pacific Stories

This chapter examines how London’s Pacific stories are most frequently concerned with three interrelated subjects: an anthropologically-oriented interest in indigenous cultures and racial groups; an assessment of imperialism’s detrimental effects on native populations and its Western practitioners; and a search for wholeness and meaning through local mythologies, folklore, and religions—modes of inquiry London hoped might moderate the alienation wrought by the capitalistic marketplace and scientific rationalism. The discussion focuses on how, at times, London replicates the racist norms of the dominant culture, while in other instances he protests against them. “The House of Pride,” “The Heathen,” “Good-By, Jack,” “Koolau the Leper,” “Mauki,” “The Red One,” and “The Water Baby” are closely analysed.