Martin Eden

Throughout the novel are descriptions of characters’ hands. What is the significance of hands in Martin Eden? How do hands relate to the novel’s themes concerning social class? Compare and contrast the novel’s mentions of hands with another literary work that focuses on working versus non-working hands.

After Martin achieves literary fame, the people who abandoned him and failed to believe in his dream of becoming a successful writer suddenly desire his company. The bitter mantra of “work performed” consumes him. What is the significance of “work performed”? Why does Martin obsess over the phrase, and how does it contribute to his downfall?

Martin’s lack of education is the biggest thing that separates him from Ruth and other members of the bourgeoisie throughout the early parts of the novel. However, education fuels Martin’s sense of alienation and his eventual estrangement from all classes of society. What is the novel’s position on whether education can fundamentally change one’s nature?