McTeague

When Frank Norris died in 1902 at the age of 32 one of America’s most promising literary careers was cut short. But during his tragically short career, Norris produced some of the best early twentieth century American fiction.

McTeague, a story of greed and ambitious social climbing, is often called Norris’ best novel. Echoing Conrad in his concern with the nature of evil, and anticipating Dreiser’s An American Tragedy in its financially motivated murder, Norris set the pattern for many American novels.

“Forbidden to practice dentistry when Marcus Schouler informs the authorities that he lacks both license and diploma, McTeague grows brutish and surly, while his wife, Trina, who had won $5,000 in a lottery, becomes a miser. He eventually murders Trina, steals her money, and is pursued into Death Valley by Schouler, but the latter manages to handcuff their wrists. Tied to the corpse, McTeague is doomed to die of thirst in the desert.”— Benet, The Reader’s Encyclopedia