Naturalism, Negativity and McTeague

The ideas and beliefs of naturalism are fascinating, especially how much it differs from transcendentalism. It is interesting to see how people can have such opposing views of humanity, the world, and nature.

Since learning about it, it becomes clear how much these views influenced the writing of McTeague. The comparisons of humans to animals are frequent, such as in chapter 2 when Trina is unconscious in McTeague’s dental chair. McTeague has an inner battle with the animal in him; “It was the old battle, old as the world, wide as the world – the sudden panther leap of the animal, lips drawn, fangs aflash, hideous, monstrous, not to be resisted, and the simultaneous arousing of the other man, the better self that cries, “Down, down,” without knowing why; that grips the monster; that fights to strangle it, to thrust it down and back” (21). What this scene also implies is the pessimistic view of naturalists, that humans are naturally bad. McTeague has to fight down his bad instincts, although they are so strong that they come close to winning, and he kisses Trina. Additionally, the way men and women are presented in this novel seems similar to animals. They have very distinct and separate roles, men are stronger while women are submissive.

Adhering to naturalism, McTeague offers a very pessimistic view of humans and society. The whole tone of the novel seems negative, there are few positive characters or aspects to it. Things that at first seem good don’t turn out to be so positive. For example, when Marcus gives up Trina and allows McTeague to be with her, it seems he is a good character and a good friend, he is more interested in the happiness of the people he cares about than his own. But this good deed turns sour when Trina wins the money. Marcus’ reaction makes it clear that he is no better than anyone else, in fact he may be worse because of the way he values money over love or happiness.

In McTeague Norris highlights all the ideas of naturalism, and presents characters that embody it. They are negative, materialistic and hopeless. They provide a pessimistic view of humanity, and can’t escape the negative paths their humanity has determined for them. While naturalism claims to be about what is rather than what should be, these negative ideas for humanity seem a lot worse than what is. While there is a lot about humanity that is negative, this novel and naturalism both ignore good aspects. It seems in naturalists’ world there is no room for any hopeful or positive characters.

Pudd'nhead Wilson

A key theme in Pudd’nhead Wilson is the idea that people are defined by how they are perceived in society, and how much the images placed on people by those around them can affect their lives. What this novel highlights is just how hard it is to escape the stereotypes and ideas people and society place on you.

As Twain states from the beginning, Pudd’nhead Wilson was forever plagued by the image placed on him after one misinterpreted comment. He could have been successful, but the image the community had of him, as a fool, a “pudd’nhead”, prevented anyone from taking him seriously. Once these images stick, everything the character does is seen through the lens of that image. For example when Judge Driscoll tries to prove Pudd’nhead Wilson’s image wrong by showing them Wilson’s calendar, everyone uses his calendar as supporting evidence for the idea that he is a pudd’nhead.

Similarly, Roxy was condemned by the perception that she was black. Despite looking white, the one drop rule meant everyone in the community saw her as black. She could not escape this, and because she was seen as a slave no one guessed at her intelligence. This also links back to the idea of nature versus nurture. Roxy must have been brought up knowing her place in society, being told she was black even if she didn’t look it. Just like how Chambers (the real Tom) grew up knowing people saw him as a black slave, he must have known he was not highly valued in society. Because of this he was submissive and took orders from Tom. Even at the end when he discovers who he really is, he still cannot simply become white, the effects of how people are viewed in society are so strong that it can influence a person’s character.

The point I’m trying to make is that, whether by society or nurture, people are put into certain categories, images of them are based on small incidents or one drop of black blood, which are hard to get rid of. The result is that sometimes it shapes their character, and sometimes it holds them back. What this novel highlights is just how hard it is to escape an image once people see you a certain way. Whether it’s being viewed as a pudd’nhead, or being viewed as black.

Additionally, what the cases of Pudd’nhead Wilson and Roxy highlight is just how wrong these perceptions can be. Twain displays how much of a constraint these perceptions can put on people, with the example of Pudd’nhead Wilson. He couldn’t build a successful career in the community once they all believed he was an idiot. But it also shows how sometimes these images can become beneficial, such as in the case of Roxy. She was able to pull off her scheme because no one would ever expect a slave to have her intelligence.

Queequeg and Coverdale

What I found interesting about Queequeg’s coffin, in chapter 110, ‘Queequeg in his coffin’, was that it reminded me of Coverdale’s melodramatic response to his illness in The Blithedale Romance. Although both characters actions were similar; both were convinced they would die, so prepared for death, they seemed shockingly different. I think it reflects the differences in their characters. While Coverdale is a drama queen, Queequeg is wise and realistic.

Coverdale was dramatic, that fact is clear. He hugely overplayed his illness, and this illness gave an early clue to his character. It hinted at his dramatization, and had implications for the novel as it cast doubt on his entire narrative. Coverdale is convinced he is going to die, despite what others tell him, and talks of his “weakly condition”. Queequeg reacted to his illness differently, being realistic about the idea of death and suffering quietly, much unlike Coverdale. Coverdale drags his illness out for a long time, unlike Queequeg’s illness which only lasts a few days and is contained in one short chapter. In strong contrast to Coverdale, Queequeg remains strong despite his illness, as Ishmael describes; “a wondrous testimony to that immortal health in him which could not die, or be weakened” (Melville, 364).

While Coverdale’s illness displays his dramatic personality, Queequeg’s illness has the opposite effect. It displays him as person who is realistic; he knows that recovery is unlikely on a whaling ship with scarce access to medical care. It shows the strength of his character that he can come to terms with the fact of his death, rather than using his illness for attention and sympathy the way Coverdale does.

Queequeg wills himself back to health, contrasting to how Coverdale gets better despite his negative assumptions. Coverdale, if anything, does the opposite of willing himself back to health by wallowing in his illness and imagined death sentence.

Queequeg’s illness also takes on another meaning, which Coverdale’s does not. It may have been a form of foreshadowing, although Queequeg did not die from that particular illness, preparing a coffin somewhat foreshadowed the tragic ending of Moby-Dick. Preparing a coffin could also represent Queequeg’s wisdom. He knows death is inevitable in the hunt for Moby Dick, and has already come to terms with what is likely.

Even the people around each character emphasize the differences in their charachters. Ishmael looks on at Queequeg’s illness with awe. While Hollingsworth tries to convince Coverdale his illness is not so bad, as he tells him “You are not going to die, this time, … You know nothing about sickness, and think your case a great deal more desperate than it is” (Hawthorne, 43).