The Drunken Scheherazade: Self-Reflection in Jack London’s “The Road,” “Martin Eden” and “ John Barleycorn”

Abstract

Poole's reading of the London works chosen for their autobiographical interest brings out a complex conflict: hard drinking encroaches more and more on London's workaholic writing, the obsessive 5,000 words a day. The nihilistic and pessimistic truths revealed in his alcoholic stupor give the lie to the false ideals and illusions, such as Socialism, he believes himself to be peddling in his writings. Paradoxically, these falsities, related to female nurture, are life-sustaining, whereas boozing, associated with male camaraderie, expresses a deep death-wish