The Theory of Social Darwinism states that an individual is born into a social status which he will stay in throughout the rest of his life. For example, if an individual is born into a poor and weak community he will stay poor throughout his life therefore becoming weak and die off quicker than others, the contrary is true for those born in a wealthier environment. This conception comes in hand with the “survival of the fittest” in which those who are best fit for their environment will be superior and live longer than the rest. Although this idea was posed in the 17th century, some individuals, such as Frank Norris, believed that survival of the fittest applied just as much in today’s urban society as it did when it was brought up. In McTeague written by Frank Norris, the author uses the theory of Social Darwinism by the social and economic downfall of McTeague and Trina, Zerkow and Maria, while demonstrating the success of Miss Baker and Old Grannis.
The marriage of McTeague and Trina exemplify how the couple could not move up the social ladder and instead, fall into a lower social level from which they came from. Although …show more content…
Just like Trina, Old Grannis also received a large sum of money for selling his prized machine. However, this did not cause him to grow delusional like Trina, rather created an empty void within him instead. Nonetheless, the wall that once separated the couple from each other would figuratively dissolve as Miss Baker filled Old Grannis’ voidance with a cup of tea. “It was an enormity. Fancy, she had gone into his room, into his room-Mister Grannis’ room.”(Norris 256). It is because the couple did not attempt to change their class that they were fit to survive and eventually have a successful
The marriage of McTeague and Trina exemplify how the couple could not move up the social ladder and instead, fall into a lower social level from which they came from. Although …show more content…
Just like Trina, Old Grannis also received a large sum of money for selling his prized machine. However, this did not cause him to grow delusional like Trina, rather created an empty void within him instead. Nonetheless, the wall that once separated the couple from each other would figuratively dissolve as Miss Baker filled Old Grannis’ voidance with a cup of tea. “It was an enormity. Fancy, she had gone into his room, into his room-Mister Grannis’ room.”(Norris 256). It is because the couple did not attempt to change their class that they were fit to survive and eventually have a successful