Negore, The Coward by Jack London

Ivan was one mean dude.

I wasn't planning on a Jack London double feature today, but here we are. While Negore, The Coward can certainly be criticized for its "westernized" portrayal of Indigenous people—an inevitable concern with a white author writing about them—that's not my focus here. If this kind of writing doesn't sit well with you, it's understandable. That being said, I’d argue that London presents a sympathetic view of these people as they resist Russian invaders led by Ivan the Terrible. It works well as an exciting adventure story, combining high-stakes survival, a dangerous enemy, and a protagonist with something to prove. After abandoning his people when the Russians attacked his village, will he succumb to cowardice or rise to the occasion? 

Set in the harsh Alaskan wilderness, the story immerses us in a world where survival hinges on endurance and adaptability. Nature itself is indifferent to human struggles, a defining trait of naturalist literature. As one of the pioneers of this movement, London employs his signature detached narrative style to explore themes of determinism and survival.

Negore’s journey is shaped by forces beyond his control—fear, honor, bravery, and sacrifice all intertwined with the social expectations of his community. At the heart of it, his love for Oona is the driving force to prove himself worthy, not just for her but to reclaim his lost dignity. His final act of defiance against foreign oppression is both powerful and moving. In the end, Negore’s triumph isn’t necessarily about traditional heroism but could also be influenced by instinct and necessity, perfectly aligning with naturalism’s core themes: the dominance of environment, heredity, and survival over free will. The author leaves the reader to consider if Negore is a true hero, or just a man making the only choice left to him.