Considered as a whole, the seven novels written by Frank Norris contain enough of naturalism to justify classifying him as a naturalist. His failure to fully comprehend the implications of the naturalistic philosophy results in both strengths and weaknesses. He fails in The Octopus to maintain the objective point of view that the naturalists set for themselves, and a looseness of conception and a diffuseness of effect result. By allowing the ranchers freedom of choice in the matter of the means to be employed against the railroad, he achieves something very close to tragedy. Vandover, too, has a choice, and the novel suffers as a study in determinism, but Vandover becomes a more interesting character than he would have been without will.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:unt.edu/info:ark/67531/metadc663328 |
| Date | 08 1900 |
| Creators | Hazlerig, Jack O. |
| Contributors | Logue, Joseph M., Hieble, Jacob |
| Publisher | North Texas State College |
| Source Sets | University of North Texas |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | iii, 120 leaves, Text |
| Rights | Public, Hazlerig, Jack O., Copyright, Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights |
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