The Aftermath of the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 | Jack London’s Article Review

An analysis essay about Colliers magazine article written by Jack London covering the aftermath of the San Francisco earthquake of 1906

In the Collier’s magazine article written  by Jack London, due attention is paid to description of  the aftermath of the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. The author describes the key events that occurred after the disaster, as well as the reaction of the government and local residents to these events.   In order to analyse London’s article entitled “The Story of an Eyewitness”, it is necessary to consider three areas of analysis, including the selected structure of the article, availability of supporting arguments and effectiveness of the language used by the author to deliver the key message.

Thesis statement: Jack London provides an accurate description of the aftermath of the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, using a well-organized structure, a wide range of supporting arguments and simple language to deliver the key message.

To start with, the article has a well-organized structure, which divides the text into several paragraphs. Each paragraph has its title, such as “The Fire Made its Own Draft”, “A Caravan of Trunks”, “The Doomed City”, “Spread of the Conflagration”, “A Fortune for a Horse!” This structure allows the reader to have a good understanding of the connection between events relevant to the San Francisco earthquake of 1906.

In addition, the author uses a number of strong arguments to support his thesis. For example, he places emphasis on the material losses caused by the disaster. He writes, “The earthquake shook down in San Francisco hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of walls and chimneys” (The Story of an Eyewitness By Jack London, Collier’s special correspondent). The author states that the government’s response to the disaster was adequate due to external support. London notes,  “The Government has the situation in hand, and, thanks to the immediate relief given by the whole United States, there is not the slightest possibility of a famine” (The Story of an Eyewitness By Jack London, Collier’s special correspondent).

Moreover, the author’s writing  style is based on the use of simple language that allows the reader to avoid misunderstanding of certain terms and concepts. The detailed description of the city’s buildings and streets shows that the destruction caused by earthquake was severe. He writes, using stylistic devices (e.g. repetition and metaphors) to make his language vivid, but, at the same time, easy to understand,

“An enumeration of the buildings destroyed would be a directory of San Francisco. An enumeration of the buildings undestroyed would be a line and several addresses. An enumeration of the deeds of heroism would stock a library and bankrupt the Carnegie medal fund. An enumeration of the dead-will never be made. All vestiges of them were destroyed by the flames” (The Story of an Eyewitness By Jack London, Collier’s special correspondent).

Thus, it is necessary to conclude that Jack London uses effective techniques that help him to deliver the key message in the proper way. Due to the well-organized structure of the article, the use of strong arguments and simple language, the reader has an opportunity to apply logical thinking and draw relevant conclusions. 

Works Cited

The Story of an Eyewitness By Jack London, Collier’s special correspondent. May 5, 1906. Available from:<https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=24206>

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
Available at:

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]
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