I couldn’t decide whether to file the following Great Quote under About Writing or Social Analysis. I settled on Social Analysis because I think it has a point that is broader than its original context as a remark on literary creativity.
"You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." —Jack London
For those of you who have never heard of Jack London…
For those of you who have and who also happen to like sci-fi, here is an interesting factoid about Jack London from Wikipedia:
"Jack London appears briefly as a character at the end of Star Trek: TNG [The Next Generation] episode ‘Time’s Arrow,’ Parts I and II as a hotel employee. Mark Twain advises him to go to Alaska."
Jack London was, very much, a committed socialist. Although he died in 1916, I suspect it wouldn’t take all that much thought to imagine where this lefty would, were he alive today, come down on Roe v. Wade, much less on the whole matter of legalized abortion on demand. In short, London is certainly NOT someone that I would pick to honor with a blog. It is a shame that Michelle Arnold chose to do just that.
And it’s a shame that you wouldn’t give Michelle the benefit of the doubt. I don’t think that such a post implies support or anything of that kind.
The fact that we may admire the creative genius of somebody does not mean that we agree with all their views or that we can’t do so unless they are in agreement with the Church! If I had to use your standard then I would have to reject pretty much all artists, writers, etc… and I dare to say that many of the ones you admire wouldn’t meet such a requirement.
I LOVED White Fang as a boy. The Jack London novel, not the rather insipid 1990s Disney film.
And “Time’s Arrow” is one of the all-time great achievements in the annals of Star Trek.
P.S. Jim, your post strikes me as a case in point of why I’m really glad that I will be judged by God and not my fellow Catholics. Sheesh.
I think you missed the whole point of the quote. I also think trying to chain a long dead writer with today’s liberal ills maybe a stretch and a diservice to a famous writer. 1916 is a long away away from todays liberal mess. Sit back and read “Call of the Wild”. Think of Alaska and adventure again! I doubt Roe vs Wade was even a glimmer or Gay marriage a thought in his mind!
P.S. Just remembered, the first time I watched “Time’s Arrow,” I guessed that the Jack London character was Jack London before they revealed it, based on his ambitions and interests. Boy, did I feel smug that day. 🙂
I’m a big fan of Jack London’s books. He has great insights into human nature and our desire to live. My personal favorite is “The Sea Wolf” although I enjoyed almost everyone I’ve read.
Yes, London was very much the socialist. It is clear that he also does not believe in God, at least not in the way Christians do. From his perspective, knowing what he understands about human nature, we can’t be trusted with ourselves. His response is to embrace socialism. It makes a great deal of sense if you don’t believe in God and see no promise in the values of love, hope and charity.
When I read London, it’s very inspiring to me as a Catholic, not because I agree with his mindset but because I can see the great need for God in our lives through seeing a world London created in which God plays no role.
I recommend to those who are interested in best understanding London’s socialism to read his novel “The Iron Heel”. It’s similar to The DaVinci Code in its tact, as it uses a novel as a platform to reveal his political views. It was VERY interesting.
Great line.
Gardner Dozois’ Best of the Year’s SF anthologies are a regular purchase for my dad and myself, and the most recent one, which covers 2004 (the 2005 edition should be coming out before long), has an alternate world scenario where Alaska remained in the hands of Russia. Jack London still goes to Alaska to prospect for gold, and runs into an exile there by the name of Vladimir I. Lenin…
The title of the short story is “Sitka”, for all who are interested.