A Deal in Wheat And Other Stories by Frank Norris

Description

A Deal in Wheat and Other Stories is a book by Frank Norris, first published in 1903. This posthumous collection features a selection of Norris's short stories, many of which reflect his deep concern with the socio-economic realities of his time. The title story, A Deal in Wheat, is a powerful example of literary naturalism, illustrating how impersonal market forces affect individuals—particularly the powerless—through the story of a struggling Kansas farmer caught in the grip of the wheat speculation boom. Norris masterfully explores the interplay between capitalism, exploitation, and human vulnerability in a rapidly industrializing America. The other stories in the collection span a range of settings and themes, from urban dramas to frontier tales, often spotlighting characters at the mercy of forces beyond their control—whether economic, psychological, or environmental. Norris was influenced by Émile Zola and the naturalist movement, and his stories bear the stamp of gritty realism and social critique. His work stands as an early bridge between 19th-century realism and the muckraking literature that would flourish in the Progressive Era. This collection remains a valuable insight into the American mindset at the turn of the 20th century, where idealism clashed with industrial reality.

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