Island Tales / On the Makaloa Mat

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

London, Jack, 1876-1916

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"On the Makaloa Mat" by Jack London is a collection of narratives first published in the early 20th century. The stories unfold in the Hawaiian Islands, exploring themes of family, culture, and the complexities of life through richly drawn characters, particularly focusing on the lives of Hawaiian women and their relationships. The opening installment introduces Martha Scandwell, her family dynamics, and the contrasting backgrounds of her and her sister, all set against the idyllic yet culturally rich Hawaiian landscape. The opening of "On the Makaloa Mat" presents the character of Martha Scandwell, who observes her surroundings in a beautiful home by the ocean in Waikiki. As she interacts with her sister, Bella, the story delves into their shared history and familial ties, revealing deeper narratives concerning marriage, heritage, and the duality of their identities as both Hawaiians and individuals of European descent. Their conversation touches on the past, including the joys and hardships of their lives and marriages, setting the stage for a meditative exploration of personal sacrifice and the nuances of love and community, while also highlighting the interplay between traditional Hawaiian life and the influences of Western culture. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Contents:

On the Makaloa mat

The bones of Kahelili

When Alice told her soul

Shin-bones

The water baby

The tears of Ah Kim

The Kanaka surf.

Credits:

David Price

Notes:

Reading ease score: 78.8 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.

Release date is 2000-04-01