Question

1. how does the point of view in jack londons story \the law of life\ reflect a characteristic of naturalism?

the narrator is koskooshs son, who has seen death many times but fears losing his father.

the narrator is a man pitted against nature, and he knows he will lose.

the narrator knows (and reveals to readers) that koskoosh will be rescued by his people.

the narrator knows what will happen to koskoosh, but koskoosh does not.

Explanation:

Analyze the narrative point of view

Using the Literary Naturalism knowledge point

The story "The Law of Life" by Jack London is told from a third-person limited omniscient point of view, focusing closely on the thoughts and sensory experiences of the dying, blind old chief, Koskoosh. The narrator is not a character in the story (such as his son), but rather an detached, objective observer.

Connect point of view to Naturalism

Using the Literary Naturalism knowledge point

Naturalism emphasizes the indifference of nature and the inevitability of death. The third-person narrator maintains an objective, almost scientific distance, observing Koskoosh's situation. The narrator knows and reveals to the reader the harsh reality of the environment and the inevitable fate of Koskoosh (that he will freeze or be eaten by wolves), while Koskoosh himself must sit in darkness, waiting for the end to come. This dramatic irony and objective distance highlight the naturalistic theme that human life is governed by forces beyond individual control.

Evaluate the given options

Using the Literary Naturalism knowledge point

• Option 1 is incorrect because the narrator is not Koskoosh's son.
• Option 2 is incorrect because the narrator is not a character ("a man") pitted against nature; the narrator is an external observer.
• Option 3 is incorrect because Koskoosh is explicitly left behind to die, not to be rescued.
• Option 4 is correct because the third-person narrator possesses an objective, broader understanding of the environment and the inevitable outcome, creating a detached perspective characteristic of Naturalism.

Answer:

• The narrator is Koskoosh's son, who has seen death many times but fears losing his father.
• The narrator is a man pitted against nature, and he knows he will lose.
• The narrator knows (and reveals to readers) that Koskoosh will be rescued by his people.
• The narrator knows what will happen to Koskoosh, but Koskoosh does not. (Correct answer)