This Jack London story describes the seventeen-year relationship between a hard-drinking American pearl buyer and an outcast Pacific Islander (Otoo). The only survivors of a ship that sinks in a hurricane, the two form a life-long bond. Otoo becomes the American’s shadow and protector and, thanks to his judicious career and investment advice, the friends become wealthy. While the American enjoys their riches, Otoo refuses to spend them. The story ends tragically, with Otoo making the supreme sacrifice in saving the American’s life. Themes include colonialism and exploitation, the power of nature, racism, friendship, selflessness, courage, sacrifice, secular humanism.
An often-overlooked aspect of the story is the significance of its title. Captain Oudouse called Otoo a heathen as a racial slur, which he presumably used for all his “kanaka” seamen. The people of Bora Bora also branded Otoo a heathen, this time in the literal sense for being the only non-Christian among them. Perhaps London (a professed atheist) was making a point that the quality of a man has more to do with the way he lives than whether or not he follows a religion.
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