Seen as one of the most influential realist writers of his time, Frank Norris changed the foundation of American Naturalism. McTeague is a novel that depicts the complexities found within a society that abides by the law of Social Darwinism. It portrays the animal like behaviors that are present during our subconscious actions. Along with McTeague, his trilogy, starting with The Octopus, showed the tough times that Americans had to overcome in the wheat farming industry. They dealt with rail workers that were ruthless and made their jobs tougher. Norris’s novel made significant contributions to the shape and direction of American literature; it is a touchstone for important developments in American cultural history. Benjamin Franklin …show more content…
Norris, better known as Frank Norris, was born on March 5, 1870 in Chicago, Illinois (Norris Biography). He was the first of five children, his parents were Gertrude Doggett Norris and Benjamin Franklin Norris, Sr. (Norris Biography). In 1882 Gertrude and Benjamin moved the family to Oakland, California and then a year later they moved again to San Francisco, California 9norris Biography). Frank attended preparatory school and Boy’s high School but neither of those met his interests (Norris Biography). He then enrolled in the San Francisco Art Association where he became fascinated with painting (Norris Biography). For two years he studied abroad in London and Paris so he could learn more about the medium, but his interest soon diminished and he began to write (Frank Norris). When he returned to California he attended the University of California from 1890 to 1894 before spending a year at Harvard where he expanded his concentration of study in literature (Frank Norris). Norris served as a newspaper correspondent in South Africa until he became involved in the Jameison Raid on Transvaal, leading to the Boer government deporting him (Frank Norris). Upon his return in 1898 he continued his journalism career as an editorial assistant working for McClure Magazine as a war correspondent in Cuba (Norris Biography. In 1899 he joined the New York Publishing company and he began to publish a succession of his own novels including McTeague and The Octopus. Many factors contributed to the creation of McTeague. A key factor was the sensational murder which took place in the slums of San Francisco in October 1893. Sarah Collins was murdered by her husband Pat Collins because she would not give him money. He committed the crime when she was at work at the Kindergarten. This is much like the murder of Trina by her husband McTeague. Norris was an insightful observer of American life which provided him with access to what was manifesting in American thought and literary expression (Frank Norris). He tried to appeal to the perception of the contemporaries and many traditions of life in the turn of the century, and reflect the interests of the community Frank Norris). McTeague is viewed as the forefront of American literature.
It depicted the primeval forces that can transform cultured human beings into an animal. Norris portrays a tale of McTeague, a dentist, and the tragic consequences of his bathetic desire for a marriage to Trina (Study Guide0. The racial instincts that overtake normal behavior that overtake normal behavior are traced throughout the novel. When drunk McTeague becomes swelled with violence and rage that assumes a sadistic character. After winning the lottery ticket Trina is transformed from her fastidious heritage into a preposterous miser. His novel was an insight into Social Darwinism and the dangers of certain forms of behavior which could consume their lives 9Frank …show more content…
Norris). The Octopus was published in 1901 as the first part of an uncompleted trilogy (Frank Norris). It describes the wheat industry in California, and the conflicts between wheat growers and a railway company (Frank Norris). Norris was inspired to write this trilogy based on the Central Pacific Railroad and the Mussel Slough Tragedy (Frank Norris). He depicts tensions between the railroad, ranchers, and the rancher’s league (Frank Norris). It dealt with the economic and social forces involved in the production, distribution, and consumption of wheat (Frank Norris). It pictures the raising of the wheat to the struggle of wheat growers there against railway cooperation monopolies (Frank Norris). The second part of the trilogy deals with the wheat speculation on the Chicago Board of Trade (Frank Norris). And the third novel, which was not completes due to Norris’s death, was to show the American grown wheat relieving a famine stricken village in Europe (Frank Norris). Critics at the time of McTeague thought it was racy.
They were appalled at the open depiction of subconscious desires. It caught the steamy side of urban life with the words that painted pictures. They did not like that it perfectly showed their avarice, the desire for sexuality, greed and passion, emerging instinctual forces that can transform a civilized being into an animal (Frank Norris). They then examined how much animal lived within them and the control it had over them when called out. On the contrary, modern critics believe McTeague is an excellent novel with memorable descriptions. They say that this nineteenth century work is so modern, fresh and contemporary. It focuses on obsession and addiction, following what books and movies portray today, happiness led down a path of
destruction. McTeague is viewed as a masterpiece of American Naturalism today. It reflects the complexities that humans face when dealing with their animal nature. Norris’s imagination and writing style were unlike the other works of his time. He truly encompassed the essence of animal behavior that can grasp and control a well brought up individual. His trilogy, although incomplete also portrayed significant messages to the readers. The conflicts that grew between the wheat growers and Railway Company held high tensions. It was left incomplete because of his death, nut it was assumed what the outcome would be in the third novel. Even though Norris never personally experienced these tendencies he did observe many cases of subconscious behavior. His works marked the beginning of American Naturalism. McTeague can be viewed as a Realistic, Naturalistic, Symbolist and Impressionistic work. Frank Norris is one of the most influential realist and naturalistic writers of his time. He set the foundation for modern American naturalism (Frank Norris).
...n there are no limitations of morality or law. A comparison of man's fruitless journey is described as "they move like migrants under a drifting star and their track across the land reflected in its faint arcature the movements of the earth itself" (McCarthy 153). Thus, the setting powerfully influences the novel's theme and its characters rather than being a detached element of the narrative (147).
A satirical point that the author talked about briefly was Weaver's choice to not read the short, original novel, but the even shorter novel summary. The satire is effective because of how the authors describes the book. By including small lines such as "the most skillful example of American naturalism under 110 pages" and "Weaver's choice to read the Cliffs Notes instead of the pocket-sized novel", the brevity and literary relevance of this book is emphasized greatly. To include how short this novel is makes Weaver look positiv...
Academic colleagues like, David Greenburg, would have been exasperated, part from envy of McCullough’s ability in not only story telling but to sell and he would object to the approach of this book. The colleagues would tear at the lack of compelling rationale for an overused topic, as well as the scene setting, and meager analysis.
Walcutt, C.C. American Literary Naturalism, A Divided Stream. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1952, p.66-82 Rpt in Crane, Stephen. The Red Badge of Courage. Sculley Bradley, Richard Beatty, and E. Hudson Long Eds. New York: W.W. Norton, 1962.
A. “Hills Like White Elephants.” The Norton Introduction to Literature. Gen. ed. -. Kelly J. Mays. 11th ed.
Perkins, George B., and Barbara Perkins. "The Beast in the Jungle." The American Tradition in Literature (concise). 12th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2009. 1148-1177. Print.
Moreover, Crane’s genius as "an observer of psychological and social reality" (Baym 1608) was refined after witnessing battle sights during the late 19th century. What he saw was a stark contrast of the peacefulness and morality preached in church and this thus led him to religious rebelliousness. As a prisoner to his surroundings, man (a soldier) is physically, emotionally, and psychologically challenged by nature’s indifference to humankind. For instance, in the story, "what traps the Swede is his fixed idea of his environment," but in the end, it is the environment itself -- comprised of the Blue Hotel, Sculley, Johnnie, Cowboy Bill, the Easterner, and the saloon gambler -- that traps him (Stallman 488).
Through O’Connor’s religious background, the audience must closely analyze the true message of her story through her symbolism. Her shocking and grotesque ending of the short story challenges individuals by questioning what is good and what is evil. O’Connor’s symbolism found in her setting and main characters truly embody her view of modern society. She uses these elements as a representation for the realistic paths individuals struggle to choose between: the path involved in sin concerning money, good looks, and pride or the path towards God concerning morals, values, and respect for humanity.
Magill, Frank. Survey of American Literature. Vol. 6 Ste-Z 1885-2224. Marshall Cavendish Co. New York. Copyright 1991. Edited by Frank Magill.
When McMurphy first meets Chief, he assumes that Chief is deaf and mute, “Is that right? You deef, Chief?” (24). Chief is important to this journey as he is a main focal point in fulfilling what McMurphy can’t do. McMurphy fits into Sigmund Freud’s idea of an ego and Chief is the counterpart to McMurphy’s ego. McMurphy has a rebellious ego, while Chief is the opposite of that. McMurphy also meets his prime enemy in Nurse Ratched. McMurphy’s clear distrust and detestment of control is comparable to that of Holden Caulfield from the novel The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger. Both these characters find no reason in listening to higher authority; Holden with his parents, “People are always ruining things for you.” (Salinger 43), and McMurphy with Nurse Ratched. These two characters clash throughout the whole novel. This is one of the reasons why many would say McMurphy is not a hero because he causes trouble to other characters. However, by McMurphy infuriating Nurse Ratched, he is showing the other inmates that there is more to life than to listen to Nurse Ratched all the time. Philosopher Immanuel Kant argues that a person’s behavior lies solely on human experiences. This is true in both McMurphy’s and Nurse Ratched’s human nature. McMurphy is rebellious in his nature because of his past of being in the armed forces in which he was sent home, “A dishonorable discharge, afterward, for insubordination.” (45).
To define one's purpose is at the very least human nature and at the very most the meaning of life. Humans seek the significance of existence and try to define it in many ways. There are thousands of religions and countless seminars to help people discover the point of human existence. The idea that we may all be irrelevant in the grand scheme of life or to the universe is not a popular position. In his short story "The Open Boat" Stephen Crane shows a universe that is unconcerned with the struggles of four men within a small boat lost at sea. Through the characters' experiences Crane shows the human struggle to survive as viewed in a naturalistic perspective as opposed to other prevalent 19th Century concepts.
As an adolescent, Jack London led an impoverished life and struggled to earn more money to support himself and his mother. In an attempt to find a small fortune, London joined the Klondike Gold Rush in 1897. Unfortunately, he returned home penniless. However, his adventures in the Yukon provided him the most epic experiences that guided him into writing some of his most famous, widely acclaimed literary works. His novels focus primarily on naturalism, a type of literature in which the characters are shaped by their environment through the practice of scientific principles. The author centralizes his themes around this literary technique. Jack London’s naturalistic portrayal of his characters explores the brutal truth of humans versus animals and the struggle for survival.
“Why should he cling to life? he asked, and dropped the blazing stick into the snow. It sizzled and went out. The circle grunted uneasily, but held its own. Again he saw the last stand of the old bull moose, and Koskoosh dropped his head wearily upon his knees. What did it matter after all? Was it not the law of life?” (London 752). This is a direct quote from the book “Law of Life” by Jack London. It is a fine example of naturalism, which is a philosophical understanding that we are completely secluded in a single, physical universe. It is said that Charles Darwin was a huge influence on Naturalism. Although Darwin’s theory was not done on humans, natural selection is still quite similar to Naturalism. The Naturalism movement began during the time of WWI that uses devices such as realism, pessimism, theme, and irony.
McMurphy’s first sexual experience was scarring and impacts his view of women for the rest of his life. McMurphy, Chief, and the rest of the acute patients took a trip to the lake to go fishing. On there way back, McMurphy saw a yellow dress reminding him of when he lost his virginity. McMurphy claimed that, “ the first girl ever to drug him to bed wore that same dress.” McMurphy uses “drug” to describe how he was impulsed into bed by a manipulative girl. His first sexual experience was so scarring because McMurphy was forced into having sexual intorcorse with the corse rather than of his own will. This can changes the way he looks at women because, he views them as very manipulative and powerful, making him feel vulnerable. The feeling vulnerability
The period of Psychological Realism started around 1900 and has lasted to the present day. It is a continuation and expansion of the Realism era, especially the in depth study of characters. However, it features a new element: it does not consider reality to be an objective view, but rather "the impressions made by life on the spectator" ("Realism and Naturalism"). This particular characteristic was invented by Henry James, who also made the genre focus largely on "moral and psychological qualities" (Hodgins 517). Because of the idea of subjective reality, stories started to be written in the first person, a unique attribute of this period ("HumanitiesWeb.org - Glossary Definition: Psychological Realism"). William Faulkner used this style throughout his works ("William Faulkner"). Another important difference between Realism and Psychological Realism is that Psychological Realism allowed for social commentary, which was used by Charlotte Perkins Gilman to advocate for women 's suffrage ("Charlotte Perkins Gilman").