The Red One

The Red One is a short story by Jack London, first published in October 1918 in The Cosmopolitan. The narrative follows Bassett, a naturalist on Guadalcanal, who becomes obsessed with a mysterious sound and a giant red sphere worshipped by local tribes as a god. The story explores themes of human instinct, survival, and the quest for knowledge, drawing parallels to Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness and reflecting influences from Carl Jung. It is notable for its early exploration of extraterrestrial themes and the psychological depths of its characters.