Frank Norris

Definition

Frank Norris was an American novelist and a key figure in the literary movement of Naturalism during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is best known for his works that illustrate the influence of environment, heredity, and social conditions on human behavior, showcasing the struggles of individuals against larger societal forces. Norris's writing often reflects a deterministic view of life, where characters are shaped and constrained by their circumstances.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Frank Norris's most notable works include 'McTeague' (1899), which tells the story of a dentist's descent into greed and violence, and 'The Octopus,' which critiques monopolistic practices of the railroad industry.
2. Norris's writing style often combines vivid imagery with an intense focus on character psychology, allowing readers to feel the weight of societal pressures on individuals.
3. He was influenced by authors such as Emile Zola and Theodore Dreiser, who also emphasized realism and Naturalism in their works.
4. Norris's career was cut short when he died at a young age due to complications from appendicitis, but his impact on American literature has endured.
5. His belief in the power of fiction to influence social change drove his narrative choices, as he sought to expose social injustices and provoke thought among readers.

Review Questions

• How did Frank Norris exemplify the principles of Naturalism in his writing?
  • Frank Norris exemplified Naturalism through his focus on how environment and heredity shape human behavior. In works like 'McTeague,' he portrayed characters whose lives are dominated by external forces such as poverty and greed. This approach highlighted the deterministic view of life prevalent in Naturalist literature, showing how individuals are often powerless against societal and economic pressures.
• Analyze the themes presented in 'The Octopus' and their relevance to American society during Norris's time.
  • 'The Octopus' presents themes such as the struggle between farmers and corporate monopolies, reflecting the broader economic challenges faced by Americans during the late 19th century. The conflict serves as a critique of capitalism and highlights issues related to power dynamics and social injustice. Norris’s depiction of this struggle illustrates how individuals can become victims of larger societal forces, resonating with readers who experienced similar conflicts in their own lives.
• Evaluate the impact of Frank Norris on future American literature and how his Naturalist ideals influenced later writers.
  • Frank Norris had a significant impact on future American literature by paving the way for later writers to explore themes of determinism and social criticism. His work laid the groundwork for authors like John Steinbeck and Ernest Hemingway, who also focused on character struggles within societal constraints. Norris’s emphasis on environmental factors shaping human fate became a foundational element in modern literature, prompting subsequent generations of writers to examine the complexities of human experience through a Naturalist lens.

Related terms

Naturalism:

A literary movement that emerged in the late 19th century, emphasizing a realistic portrayal of life and suggesting that human behavior is determined by environmental and biological factors.

The Octopus: One of Frank Norris's most famous novels, published in 1901, which explores the conflict between wheat farmers and railroad companies in California, illustrating themes of power and economic struggle.

Determinism:

The philosophical idea that all events, including human actions, are determined by previously existing causes, often explored in Naturalist literature to explain characters' fates.