The Octopus : A Story of California

Key themes explored in The Octopus include: Economic and Social Injustice: The novel highlights the economic oppression faced by the ranchers who are forced into unfavorable contracts with the railroad leading to financial ruin. The story serves as a critique of corporate greed and the exploitation of small-scale farmers. Rural vs. Urban: The novel contrasts the agrarian life of the wheat ranchers with the urban industrial power of the railroad. It examines the clash between traditional rural values and the forces of modernization and urbanization. Individual vs. Corporation: The protagonist Presley represents the individual struggling against the impersonal and often corrupt power of large corporations. His efforts to organize and resist the railroad''s control form a central part of the narrative. Naturalism: Frank Norris was a prominent figure in American literary naturalism and The Octopus reflects this movement. The novel explores how external factors such as economic and environmental forces shape the lives of its characters.