The Octopus (Masterplots, Revised Second Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Frank Norris
- First Published: 1901
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Naturalism
- Time of Work: Late nineteenth century
- Setting: San Joaquin Valley, California
- Principal Characters: Presley, Magnus Derrick, Harran, Lyman, Annixter, Hilma Tree, Vanamee, Dyke, S. Behrman, Caraher, Cedarquist, Genslinger, Hooven
- 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
The Story:
Trouble had been brewing in the San Joaquin Valley. The Pacific and Southwestern (P & SW) Railroad and the wheat ranchers who leased the railroad’s adjacent lands were heading for an economic collision. Presley, an Eastern poet visiting the ranch owned by the powerful and prosperous Magnus Derrick family was caught amid these fierce bickerings. As he cycled toward the town of Bonneville, he met Hooven, a ranch worker who was agitated by the possibility of being fired. Riding on, Presley met Dyke, who told of being dismissed and blacklisted by the P & SW....
[The entire page is 2274 words long]
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