"South of the Slot"
Jack London's story, "South of the Slot," takes place in San Francisco around the turn of the 20th century. The Slot referrers to the "iron crack that ran along the center of Market street" that held the endless amounts of cable that was attached to the cable cars (1). The "Slot" is not only an element of the setting, but it also serves as a metaphor for the division of social classes at that time. The main character, Freddie Drummond, lives north of the Slot, an area for the wealthy upper-class, reserved for theaters, shopping districts, and respectable businesses. South of the Slot was set aside for working-class people and their factories, slums, and machine-shops (1). Throughout "South of the Slot," Jack London uses the theme of naturalism. Generally, naturalism refers to the practice of viewing life strictly from a scientific approach. By examining the forces that govern human beings, London comments on the natural laws behind these forces and their impact on individual behavior and choice.The forces of heredity and environment shape Freddie Drummond's persona and perception of himself. At the onset of the story, the reader understands that Freddie Drummond accepts his place in society. He is complacent with his p
In literature, the naturalism theme is used to give a harsh, realistic view of nature, with mankind at its mercy. All his norms and criteria were conventional" (2). "Somewhere in his make-up there was a strange twist or quirk" and Drummond becomes a different person (3). Along with the governing forces of heredity, environment, and instincts, London introduces the concept of natural selection. The more time Drummond spends south of the Slot, the more he can not "shake off the call of the underworld, the lure of the free and open, of the unhampered, irresponsible life" that he has grown to cherish (6). Bill Totts victoriously emerges from Freddie Drummond as he "emitted an unearthly and uncultured yell" (9). , he found that he could flow into any nook of working-class life and fit it so snugly as to feel comfortably at home" (2). He is everything Freddie Drummond is not. They were filled with safe assumptions and "tentative generalizations. ; but at any rate, he found enjoyment in being down in the working-class world" (3). Freddie Drummond becomes the admired and respected Bill Totts and begins to build a life there.
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Acceptance Essays
