The story of keesh by jack london questions and answers

The Story of Keesh tells about the struggle for life led by a son of a recognised village huntsman. The tribe collected and recalled many stories about legendary experiences of Keesh’s father when he was hunting for food. The death of the father left Keesh and his mother with the shortage in food that forced the boy to engage in hunting. Besides, the honour of the dead father inspired the boy to take part and contribute to the tribe’s access to and availability of food (London, 2013). When the boy declared his intention to the tribe, the elders did not perceive him seriously, although allowed the boy to go on his own. The unexpected return of Keesh with a killed polar bear surprised tribal members. The boy repeated his success several times, and his accomplishments in hunting even exceeded his father’s glory. The situation raised suspicion in villagers, who, however, did not reveal their doubted to the boy whose independent excursion brought more meat to the tribe than common expeditions of adult hunters (London, 2013). The continuing unexplained success of Keesh worried the tribal elders, who finally decided to send two spies to follow the boy in his next hunting campaign. The returned scouts told that they did not see Keesh using any hunting arms or equipment. Instead, they reported observing the boy walking in front of the bear, enraging it and making it follow him. The story supported earlier suspicions of Keesh practicing witchcraft (London, 2013). The elders came to the boy’s igloo contracted by thankful villagers for the abundance of food produced by his hunting campaigns. Upon listening to the tribal accusing statements, the boy explained how he managed to reach the hunting glory of his father. Realising his physical weakness compared to adult hunters, the boy went another way – he left poisoned balls of food for the bear and waited until the animal ate it and became ill (London, 2013). Thereafter, Keesh came and deranged and spore the bear without any danger for himself.
Though the story about young hunger seems simple, it raises some social and philosophic issues. In this short story, London placed man against society, nature and himself. In the pursuit of maintaining his father’s glory as a great tribal man, Keesh decided to exert himself to a dangerous and challenging practice of hunting. He used his intelligence to cope with the wild nature and its power. Finally, the boy advocated himself in front of the accusing tribe to prove their unjustified suspicions.