The Perception of the Concept of Reincarnation in the Context of Western Culture: The Example of Jack London's Works

Kseniya A. Ushakova

UDC

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02.00

Russian Classification of Professions by Education

47.00.00

Russian Trade and Bibliographic Classification

Russian Library and Bibliographic Classification

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VAK Russia

THE PERCEPTION OF THE CONCEPT OF REINCARNATION IN THE CONTEXT OF WESTERN CULTURE: THE EXAMPLE OF JACK LONDON'S WORKS The Perception of the Concept of Reincarnation in the Context of Western Culture: The Example of Jack London's Works

АА Аа

Published in Asia, America and Africa history and modernity · Pages 34–41 · Rubric: Cultural studies

EDN: XNRKIW

Received: 12.08.2026 Accepted: 02.09.2026 Published: 05.09.2026

Authors

Kseniya A. Ushakova

ABSTRACT

Reincarnation, as a religious and philosophical concept, is traditionally associated with the religions of the Asian East, where Hindu and Buddhist traditions are strong. However, manifestations of the concept of the transmigration of souls –called metempsychosis in Greek – can also be found within Western culture from ancient times to the present day. The Western cultural perception of the concept of reincarnation has its own distinct ethical and philosophical characteristics, which largely distinguish the concept itself as a distinct religious and philosophical phenomenon deserving of religious studies analysis. A representative example for analysis, vividly demonstrating the ethical and philosophical specificity of understanding the concept of reincarnation within Western culture, is the work of the classic American writer Jack London, who exerted a colossal influence on the formation of the Romantic movement in American and European art in the 20th century. Reincarnation as a concept is closely intertwined with the characteristic Western romantic worldview presented in his works, clearly reflecting its unique cultural specificity, different from the classical Indian-Buddhist Eastern interpretation. This article examines the specific perception of the concept of reincarnation within the context of Western culture using the works of Jack London, in particular his books "The Star Wanderer" and "Before Adam."

KEYWORDS

reincarnation, metempsychosis, Jack London

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Natal'ya P. Kopceva

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Ushakova K. A. The Perception of the Concept of Reincarnation in the Context of Western Culture: The Example of Jack London's Works // Asia, America and Africa history and modernity. 2026. no. 3. pp. 34-41. EDN: XNRKIW. (Date of access 09.09.2026).

MLA

Kseniya A. Ushakova. "The Perception of the Concept of Reincarnation in the Context of Western Culture: The Example of Jack London's Works." Asia, America and Africa history and modernity 5.3 (2026): 34-41. EDN: XNRKIW.

APA

Ushakova K. A. (2026). The Perception of the Concept of Reincarnation in the Context of Western Culture: The Example of Jack London's Works. Asia, America and Africa history and modernity, 5(3), 34-41. EDN: XNRKIW.

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WIKI

{{cite journal | author = Ushakova K. A. | title = The Perception of the Concept of Reincarnation in the Context of Western Culture: The Example of Jack London's Works | journal = Asia, America and Africa history and modernity | year = 2026 | volume = 5 | issue = 3 | pages = 34-41 }} EDN: XNRKIW

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THE PERCEPTION OF THE CONCEPT OF REINCARNATION IN THE CONTEXT OF WESTERN CULTURE: THE EXAMPLE OF JACK LONDON'S WORKS The Perception of the Concept of Reincarnation in the Context of Western Culture: The Example of Jack London's Works

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