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The Octopus | Essays and Criticism

• Moraloly Complex Characters

  Kelly is an instructor of creative writing and literature at two community colleges in Illinois. In the following essay, he argues that, in spite of the apparent simplicity of the novel’s presentation of good and evil, there are morally complex characters who make readers question their own assumptions.

• The Octopus: Overview

  In the following essay, Bensen provides an overview of The Octopus, including discussing Norris’ inspiration for the novel.

• A Large Enough View

  In the following essay, French examines critical response to The Octopus, and measures the consistency of the social theories presented in the novel.

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1. The Octopus: Introduction
2. The Octopus: Summary
3. The Octopus: Frank Norris Biography
4. The Octopus: Characters
5. The Octopus: Themes
6. The Octopus: Style
7. The Octopus: Historical Context
8. The Octopus: Critical Overview
9. The Octopus: Essays and Criticism
   1. Moraloly Complex Characters
   2. The Octopus: Overview
   3. A Large Enough View
10. The Octopus: Compare and Contrast
11. The Octopus: Topics for Further Study
12. The Octopus: Media Adaptations
13. The Octopus: What Do I Read Next?
14. The Octopus: Bibliography and Further Reading
15. The Octopus: Pictures
16. Copyright

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