Koolau the Leper In today’s time taking rights from another person is illegal and wrong; however back in 1909 it was common and apparently was a common practice. Koolau the Leper written by Jack London documents the conflict between the natives and the outsiders. London talks about the drive that Koolau had to fight for his freedom and for his fellow lepers. Koolau could be considered an outlaw or a rebel for fighting for his freedom, however I considered him a hero. London expresses how the white men also known as haole came to Kanaka with false pretenses to take over the land. He explains how there were two types of haole that came to the island. One group asked permission to witness to the natives, while the other group asked for permission to trade, but then took over. There is a resentment of the white men being greedy and trying to force the natives to work for what was once theirs. Since the natives refused to work at the plantations the Chinese were brought in as cheaper labor. With the cheaper labor came the Chinese sicknesses, with one being Leprosy also known as the Hannah Disease. Leprosy has always created a panic throughout the years. Once Koolau and his son were diagnosed by a white Doctor, they were …show more content…
Koolau stated, “We asked to be left alone, But if they do not leave us alone, then is the trouble theirs, and the penalty. My fingers are gone, as you see (London page 4).” Once the police and the soldiers arrived with the intent to imprison Koolau’s tribe, and to bring back Koolau himself dead or alive, the proposed total take over the island began. Koolau rallied his troops to stand up for their freedom by telling them how they’ve been wronged by the taking of their land, giving them diseases, and now trying to put them in prison because they are sick and want the entire