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The archetypal nature of a model of narration. White Fang as the Terminator
https://doi.org/10.31425/0042-8795-2020-6-35-45
Abstract
Jack London’s books have always been known and loved in Russia. However, most readers, including professional ones, tend to see them only as romanticized stories about exotic locations, people and customs. Some critics, including the American Malcolm Cowley, even went as far as to state that Jack London belongs in the past. This paper offers a slightly different take on one of the writer’s most popular novels: White Fang. The story of a strong and ferocious beast, three-quarters a wolf, is treated as a parable about the creature’s original life choice: a turn from sociopathy to acceptance of a society, and from hate to love. Also pointed out is a plot parallel in London’s narrative: at the end of the novel, two creatures stand against each other as deadly foes, both nurtured by a hostile environment but driven by circumstances to completely opposite modes of life. Such a plot structure appears to be archetypal for modern authors. It is used, in particular, in one of James Cameron’s movies, Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
About the Author
V. A. Grinfeld
St. Petersburg State University of Industrial Technologies and Design
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Vladimir А. Grinfeld – Candidate of Philology
13 Dzhambul Ln., St. Petersburg, 191180
References
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Review
For citations:
Grinfeld V.A. The archetypal nature of a model of narration. White Fang as the Terminator. Voprosy literatury. 2020;(6):35-45. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.31425/0042-8795-2020-6-35-45
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