McTeague: A Story of San Francisco

Name: McTeague: A Story of San Francisco
Author: Frank Norris

By Frank Norris

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American Literature Novels

About This Book

The novel follows a coarse, successful city dentist whose simple, indulgent habits and rise from humble labor lead into a marriage after a contested courtship. A sudden windfall transforms domestic life into a study of appetite and avarice as jealousy, possessiveness, and squandered wealth corrode relationships. Social pressures and escalating greed push the couple toward ruin, culminating in violent betrayal and a desperate flight that ends in isolation and death. The narrative traces naturalistic forces of instinct, environment, and heredity shaping the characters' descent.

About the Author

Frank Norris

Frank Norris was an American novelist and journalist, known for his influential works in the early 20th century that explored themes of naturalism and social criticism. His most notable work, "McTeague: A Story of San Francisco," delves into the darker aspects of human nature and the impact of environment on individual fate. Norris's writing often reflects the complexities of life in California, as seen in his novel "The Octopus: A Story of California," which critiques the power of monopolies and the struggles of farmers. His literary contributions have left a lasting mark on American literature, particularly in the realm of realism.