- 1. McTeague, a novel by Frank Norris published in 1899, is a vivid and compelling exploration of human greed, desire, and the inevitable consequences of a life driven by base instincts. Set in the backdrop of San Francisco during the gold rush era, the story follows the life of Trina Sieppe, a gentle and naive young woman, and her relationship with the brutish dentist McTeague, whose natural instincts lead him down a path of violence and desperation. The novel opens with McTeague working in a dental office, where he meets Trina, and his initially benign obsession quickly turns into a destructive fixation fueled by his unquenchable greed for her wealth, which she wins through a lottery. As their marriage deteriorates, influenced by Trina's frugality and McTeague's mounting rage and jealousy, Norris paints a stark picture of how material obsession can distort human relationships and morality. The narrative is heavily influenced by the principles of naturalism, emphasizing the influence of environment and heredity on human behavior, effectively portraying McTeague as a figure trapped by his own nature and societal forces. Norris's richly descriptive prose and deep psychological insights compel the reader to ponder the darker sides of ambition and love, making 'McTeague' a seminal work in American literature that critiques the underlying motivations of human actions.
What is the profession of McTeague?
A) Bartender
B) Butcher
C) Blacksmith
D) Dentist
- 2. Who is McTeague's love interest?
A) Zerelda
B) Catherine
C) Trina
D) Minnie
- 3. What does Trina win that changes her relationship with McTeague?
A) A car
B) An inheritance
C) A house
D) A lottery
- 4. Where does the story of 'McTeague' primarily take place?
A) Chicago
B) New York
C) Los Angeles
D) San Francisco
- 5. What is the main theme of 'McTeague'?
A) The pursuit of happiness
B) The importance of friendship
C) The destructive power of greed
D) Love conquers all
- 6. What does McTeague become obsessed with after Trina wins the lottery?
A) Success
B) Power
C) Money
D) Fame
- 7. Who eventually tries to take Trina's money?
A) A stranger
B) McTeague
C) Her mother
D) Marcus
- 8. How does Trina's view of money influence her character?
A) It makes her increasingly miserly
B) It leads her to become carefree
C) It makes her generous
D) It encourages her to invest wisely
- 9. What literary movement is 'McTeague' associated with?
A) Naturalism
B) Modernism
C) Romanticism
D) Postmodernism
- 10. What tragic flaw does McTeague possess?
A) Naivety
B) Anger
C) Pride
D) Greed
- 11. In what year was 'McTeague' published?
A) 1905
B) 1895
C) 1901
D) 1899
- 12. Which of the following best describes McTeague's character development?
A) He remains static throughout the story
B) He evolves into a caring partner
C) He becomes more brutish and unrefined
D) He becomes more refined and sophisticated
- 13. What does the setting of San Francisco symbolize in the novel?
A) Isolation and despair
B) The pursuit of wealth and opportunity
C) Calm and tranquility
D) Tradition and stability
A) McTeague's sister
B) A rival dentist
C) Marcus's friend
D) McTeague's wife
- 15. Who is Marcus Schouler?
A) McTeague's friend
B) Trina's brother
C) A rival dentist
D) McTeague's father
- 16. Who is the narrator of McTeague?
A) Limited third-person
B) First-person
C) Third-person omniscient
D) Second-person
- 17. What aspect of society does Norris critique in McTeague?
A) Socialism
B) Capitalism
C) Communism
D) Feudalism
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