tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449233253293926283.post3218160452200055147..comments2016-10-09T10:59:35.615-07:00Comments on Primitive Modern: NATURALISM & CRANETeacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156256744880154348noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449233253293926283.post-37037135455674152022007-10-07T22:31:00.000-07:002007-10-07T22:31:00.000-07:00Starting from the first page of McTeague, Frank No...Starting from the first page of McTeague, Frank Norris reveals his naturalistic views by assigning his characters inhuman qualities. McTeague's diet of "thick gray soup" and "heavy underdone meat" and his feeling "cropful, stupid, and warm" as his food digests give him an animal-like nature (5). Norris even describes him as a "draught horse" and "bull-like" (6,7). Furthermore, the stark contrast between his father's identity as a diligent shift boss on the weekdays and then an "irresponsible animal...a brute, crazy with alcohol" on Sunday suggests that man lacks a definite moral character (5). It is ironic that he would behave this way on the holy Sunday; Norris highlights the absence of God in people's lives at the time. Rather, Norris supports Eric Sundquist's belief in the "immutable bestiality" of man. Norris portrays the Apollonian forces repressing man during the day as the townspeople enter the streets in order of their social classes. This sequence symbolizes the food chain present in nature. Conversely, the "demoniac glare" of the night and the homogeneous enjoyment of pleasures by all people is the Dionysian element. Unlike the mood of anxiety during the day, the nighttime atmosphere is carefree, thrilling, and without restrictions. Norris emphasizes that, without society's conventions, all men are inherently the same in their instincts and passions.<BR/><BR/>-Stephanie Chomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12958205022861162577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449233253293926283.post-7791324337691193722007-10-07T22:23:00.000-07:002007-10-07T22:23:00.000-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12958205022861162577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2449233253293926283.post-61505988870560162462007-10-03T22:46:00.000-07:002007-10-03T22:46:00.000-07:00When I first began to read The Open Boat, I immedi...When I first began to read The Open Boat, I immediately noticed how alive, violent and forceful the sea was portrayed. The foam was “racing” and the waves would “leap” from the air and the ocean would “outburst” at the men. (58) The actions of the sea were so vivid that the sea seemed much more alive than the men, who seemed merely pawns. My acknowledgment of this style was reinforced by the description of “naturalism”, since it studies how people interact with the environment. Even more naturalist in nature, the men, as pawns, are at the mercy of the sea. They plead with her and resign, assuming “it was really the intention of the seven mad gods to drown” them. (71) There is an “unconcern of the universe”. (74) This sort of pre-destination or determinism certainly seems a bit Calvinist. Finally, the “race” to the shore at the end is Darwinian as only the able can survive. <BR/><BR/>-Jenna SopfeAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02003410771759407911noreply@blogger.com