# Fate and the Gods in When God Laughs

> Theme guide for When God Laughs by Jack London.

The title story and Captain Cullen's character in 'Make Westing' explore the idea that human efforts to control life are futile against a higher, often malicious, cosmic force—the gods or God—who always win in the end.

## Where it surfaces

- [When God Laughs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/chapters/when-god-laughs): Carquinez repeatedly asserts that humans are pawns of the gods, who deal and shuffle the cards and always take the stakes. The chapter's title and dialogue emphasize the gods' laughter at human attempts to win.
- [The Chinago](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/chapters/the-chinago): Ah Cho's philosophical acceptance of his fate, viewing the injustice as part of the natural order imposed by 'white devils.'

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/themes/fate_and_the_gods
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/themes