Social Darwinism In Frank Norris Mcteague

“Social Darwinism is an extension of biological evolution to human social systems.” Essentially, it is the survival of the fittest in social circumstances among the human race. Social Darwinism was used to justify racism and social inequality (Social Darwinism). It supported the idea that if someone was born poor, they would die poor and depressed, and if someone was born wealthy, they would live a first-class and die wealthy and in good spirits. Social Darwinism is shown in Frank Norris’ McTeague through the triumphs of Old Grannis and Miss Baker, and the downfalls of Trina and McTeague. Old Grannis and Miss Baker lived on the same floor, with rooms right next to each other for several years, yet they were too shy to talk to each other. Although they never met one another, they kept each other company almost every day. The rooms they occupied used to be one, now just

Various sources have stated that if Trina did not come into as much money as she did, their story may have been different. But because their financial status changed so abruptly, they both ended up falling farther down the social ladder than when their story began. During their spiral downwards, Trina because obsessed with saving money, only spending it when absolutely necessary, and selling all of their possessions. McTeague begins drinking everyday, only worsening when he becomes unemployed. Trina begins denying him money for his bad habit and this infuriates McTeague to no end. He has finally hit the lowest of lows when he murders Trina over money. Unlike Grannis and Miss Baker, they tried to fill the void they felt with love, and when they realized that the love did not last they became obsessed with money. Regardless of their race, the rapid transformation of their social status serves as a primary example of Norris’ view on Social Darwinism