Summary Of The Story Of An Eyewitness

Jack London, a person who witnessed the aftermath of the earthquake, glanced over the ravaged ‘imperial city’ of San Francisco using photographs, along with its renowned citizens, who were distraught about their personal belongings being burned. In his article, “The Story Of An Eyewitness”, London argues that despite the tragic event that occurred, the citizens turned heroic due to maintaining their serenity, as well as working with one another to survive, regardless of their social status or ethnicity, and turning into a war soldier to prevent further encroachment of the enemy.

First, London began his essay by delineating his first hand experience, portraying the conflagration as an invading force raiding the city. With the use of allusion,
London observed one night San Francisco during the tragic event, in which distinguished how it was ‘quiet’, that there was no “crowds”, “shouting and yelling”, and “hysteria” nor “disorder”. London compares the actions of the San Francisco’s residents to the rest of the world, that they remained calm, not causing disorder that might risks the survival of other people. In addition, London glorified the citizen’s actions after witnessing them withstanding these hardships, in which, “no woman who wept”, and “no man who was in slightest degree panic stricken” . With the use of anaphora, London expressed how the citizens endured these challenges, creating a sense of heroism, that they withstand the difficulties with a horrible conditions. In addition, London exaggerated that despite the hardships, the citizens were “gracious”, that the they were “kind and courteous” on this “night of terror”. With the use of exaggeration London conveyed his attitude towards the citizens that they had somewhat overcame the encroachment of the enemies. Unlike the citizens who maintained their composure to escape the conflagration, there were some citizens who fought and defended their city, preventing the enemy to