Final answer:
Jack London's writing on the paradox of living centers on the contradictory and struggle-filled nature of existence, as seen in works like 'The Call of the Wild' and 'To Build a Fire'. His characters often face harsh natural environments that force them to embrace their primal instincts for survival, illustrating the conflict between man and nature.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Jack London writes about the paradox of living, he is highlighting the contradictory nature of existence, particularly the struggle and conflict inherent in life. In his literature, London explores the raw and primal aspects of this struggle, using experiences from his own life and the intellectual influences of thinkers like Nietzsche, Marx, and Darwin. His narrative typically focuses on the conflict between man and nature, as well as the struggle for survival, which are evident in his works like 'To Build a Fire' and 'The Call of the Wild'.
For example, in 'The Call of the Wild', London depicts Buck's transformation from a domesticated dog to his primal wolfish ancestor, outlining the struggle between nature and nurture. Buck is taken from a comfortable life and thrust into the harsh conditions of the Klondike, facing brutality and the harsh elements, ultimately embracing his innate animal instincts. In 'To Build a Fire', the protagonist's struggle for survival in subzero conditions against the indifferent power of nature demonstrates the fragile and perilous balance of human life in the face of nature's unforgiving forces. The comparisons between the man and his dog in the hostile Yukon setting exemplify our dual existence as both animalistic and societal beings, where human intellectual assurance contrasts starkly with the instinctual resilience of the dog.