The Octopus (Cyclopedia of Literary Places)
At a glance:
- Author: Frank Norris
- First Published: 1901
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Naturalism
- Time of Work: Late nineteenth century
- 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
Places Discussed
El Rancho de los Muertos. Largest ranch of the four San Joaquin Valley ranches in which the novel is set. Containing ten thousand acres of land, it is run by Magnus Derrick and his son, Harran. It consists of the home ranch, nestled in the north end in a grove of eucalyptus, oak, and cypress trees; two division houses; a tenant farmer’s house; and the house of Hooven, a German immigrant who farms a section of the ranch. The Derrick ranch home is a stately structure, containing many bedrooms, a large kitchen, an expansive dining room, a hallway with a glass...
[The entire page is 1345 words long]
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