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'''The Iron Heel''' (first published 1908) is an early example of [[dystopian]] literature, written by [[American]] [[writer]] and [[socialist]] [[Jack London]].

'''The Iron Heel''' (first published 1908) is an early example of [[dystopian]] literature, written by [[American]] [[writer]] and [[socialist]] [[Jack London]]. It is considered one of the earliest modern negative utopias, although it is not among the most popular, possibly because many of its short-term predictions were quickly proved wrong by history, and the novel lost therefore much of its appeal.

It takes place in the United States in the early 1900s, and envisions the joining of [[capitalist]]s and trusts with the government, creating an oppressive capitalistic oligarchy which suppresses freedom and organized labor.

The story takes place in the United States in the early 1900s, and envisions the joining of [[capitalist]]s and trusts with the government, creating an oppressive capitalistic dictatorship, the Oligarchy, which suppresses freedom and organized labor. Its main character, Ernest Everhard, is a communist revolutionary who organizes two revolutions, in 1920 and 1932; both fail, and Everhard is executed.

Though credited with influencing [[George Orwell]]'s ''[[Nineteen Eighty-Four]]'', ''The Iron Heel'' portrays socialism as leading to a glorious "Brotherhood of Man", rather than portray the dangers that it might eventually cause.  

 

Though credited with influencing [[George Orwell]]'s ''[[Nineteen Eighty-Four]]'', ''The Iron Heel'' portrays those that London felt were the dangers of a capitalist dictatorship, rather than those of a communist totalitarian regime.

 

 

 

Ernesto [[Che Guevara]]'s name comes from the main character of the novel, Ernest Everhard.

[[Category:Books]][[Category:Literature]]

[[Category:Books]][[Category:Literature]]