Jack London’s Children of the Frost is a collection of short stories written in the early 20th century. Set against the harsh backdrop of the Arctic, the stories delve into the lives and struggles of the indigenous peoples of the North, as well as the experiences of explorers and settlers who encounter them.
The collection opens with Avery Van Brunt, a professor from the Geological Survey, leading an expedition into the wilderness. During his journey, he discovers a village of Eskimo tribes and reflects on the challenges he has faced alongside his companions. Van Brunt’s arrival elicits a mix of curiosity and suspicion from the villagers, hinting at the complex dynamics between indigenous people and outsiders.
He engages with John Fairfax, a white man who has lived among the villagers for five years and assimilated into their way of life. Through their interactions, themes of identity, belonging, and cultural conflict emerge. The opening sets the tone for a deeper exploration of the characters’ relationships with the land and each other, underscoring the unforgiving nature of the environment and the bonds it forges.
