The Octopus (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Frank Norris
- First Published: 1901
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Naturalism
- Time of Work: The late nineteenth century
- Setting: San Joaquin Valley, California
- Genres: Long fiction, Naturalistic literature
- Subjects: North America or North Americans, United States or Americans, Nineteenth century, California, West, U.S., Ethics, Edible plants, Ranches, ranchers, or ranching, Railroads, Guns, Wheat
- Locales: San Joaquin Valley, CA
Characters Discussed
Presley, a writer. He has dark brown eyes; the forehead of an intellectual; a mouth and chin that suggest a delicate, sensitive nature; and the temperament of a poet. Thirty years old, he has come to Los Muertos to improve his health and, he hopes, to write verse. In looking for the great theme of the West around which to write his epic poem, he gets caught up in the contest between the railroad and the wheat farmers. Presley writes “The Toilers” and acquires literary fame, but he becomes convinced that “forces,” not people, control events.
...[The entire page is 1084 words long]
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