"To win the favor of a young girl out of his class an uneducated sailor self-educates himself only to find himself in a fight he could never win."
Sccreenplay by David M. O'Neill
Screenplay Available Upon Request
Reverse Pygmalion -Uneducated Man taught by Upper-Class Woman
The semiautobiographical Martin Eden is the most vital and original character Jack London ever created. Set in San Francisco, this is the story of Martin Eden, an impoverished seaman who pursues, obsessively and aggressively, dreams of education and literary fame. London, dissatisfied with the rewards of his own success, intended Martin Eden as an attack on individualism and a criticism of ambition; however, much of its status as a classic has been conferred by admirers of its ambitious protagonist.
Rise to Fall to Rise Again
Like a dog asleep in the sun, Martin Eden lives his life aware only of the anguishing work to survive and of the women and liquor, he consumes. When he's brought into a fight that isn't his, his natural and powerful instincts open wide when introduced to the beautiful, upper class, university socialite, Ruth Morse. Martin senses the kind of men who capture Ruth's interests i.e., the writers, the philosophers, the students, those whose names can be found in books, libraries, and in the universities. Martin quickly sets out to become one of them - a man whom Ruth just may take a passing interest in.
Sensing a formal education would only slow him down, he enlists the help of his new love to teach him. When the announcement of their engagement is actually had, their marked differences in social-classes ultimately send their love on a tragic trajectory. Martin's lower-class status is too much for Ruthy to fully embrace. After 600 rejection slips from the magazines, Martin's first book sells, his notoriety becomes abundant, and only then does Martin become suitable for Ruth and her family but unfortunately for Martin, it's too late.