Red Plague (Book)

The Scarlet Plague (original English title: The Scarlet Plague) is a post-apocalyptic science fiction novella written by American author Jack London. The story is set in the year 2073, sixty years after a deadly plague has largely destroyed the world. The novel focuses on the lives of a few survivors who have reverted to primitive conditions following the collapse of technological civilization.

The central figure of the novel is James Smith, a former professor living with his grandchildren—Edwin, Hoo-Hoo, and Hare-Lip—in a primitive society that has returned to nature near San Francisco. The children have very low levels of education; their speech is corrupted, and they possess no knowledge of the former civilization. One day, his grandson Edwin asks Smith questions about the disease that wiped out humanity sixty years earlier. In response, Smith begins to recount the story of the “Scarlet Plague” that erupted in 2013.

The plague manifested initially as red rashes and numbness, and was extremely contagious and lethal. Death occurred approximately thirty minutes after the onset of symptoms. Scientists and doctors were powerless against it, and most of them perished as a result.

Smith witnesses the plague’s first victim at the campus where he taught. The outbreak spreads rapidly, social order collapses, and people begin looting and killing one another. Initially, Smith takes refuge in a chemistry building with colleagues from the university. But over time, all members of the group die, leaving Smith alone. For three years, Smith survives in solitude until he eventually encounters other survivors.

The Scarlet Plague explores themes such as the fragility of civilization, the limitations of science, the absolute power of nature over humanity, and the loss of historical memory. Jack London demonstrates how, despite advances in science and technology, humanity remains helpless in the face of a pandemic. Smith’s attempts to recount the past to his grandchildren symbolize the extinction of human history and wisdom. The grandchildren’s indifference represents a hopeless view of progress.

James Howard Smith (Granser): The protagonist and narrator of the novel. Before the plague, Smith was a professor and one of the few survivors of the great catastrophe. Sixty years later, he appears as an old man telling his grandchildren about the past and the “Scarlet Plague.” He is referred to as “Granser” (grandfather). The character embodies the memory of civilization, the longing for knowledge, and the struggle to preserve the past. Although Smith strives to pass on technological and cultural history to the children, their indifference underscores humanity’s loss of collective memory.

Edwin: One of Smith’s grandchildren. He has a more curious and attentive nature than the others. At the beginning of the novel, he is the one who asks Smith to recount the past. In this way, he represents a generation open to learning and suitable for the transmission of historical knowledge. Edwin is a potential carrier of the connection between past and future.

Hare-Lip: One of Smith’s grandchildren. His name derives from a physical deformity rather than his behavior. He consistently approaches his grandfather’s stories with skepticism and mocks him with contemptuous remarks. The character symbolizes the cynicism, ignorance, and loss of respect that emerge within primitive social structures. He represents the post-civilization generation’s indifference to knowledge.

Hoo-Hoo: One of Smith’s youngest grandchildren. He speaks very little throughout the novel; his language and behavior have become extremely simplified. Hoo-Hoo is a figure symbolizing humanity’s regression from intellectual evolution—cultural disintegration. Even his name resembles primitive sound imitations.

The Young Plague Victim: The first death Smith observes on the day the plague begins. This young girl, who turns red during a university lecture and dies within minutes, serves as a symbolic figure initiating the plague’s destructive impact. Her death heralds the collapse of civilization.

Smith’s Colleagues: A group of professors and academics who, during the early days of the plague, attempt to survive alongside Smith. Despite their scientific knowledge, they are unable to produce an effective solution to the outbreak. These characters represent the limits of human reason and technology in the face of nature’s overwhelming power.