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Paper #009560 :: The Portrayal of American Business in Literature
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A discussion of how the American business world is portrayed in five novels.

Written in 2002; 1,450 words; 9 sources; MLA; $ 48.95

Paper Summary:

This paper explores the image of the American business world in "The Octopus" by Frank Norris, "The House of Mirth" by Edith Wharton, "The Golden Bowl" by Henry James, "Babbitt" by Sinclair Lewis and "The Rise of Silas Lapham" by William Dean Howells. It discusses the authors' use of Naturalism, Realism, and Cultural Darwinism to portray the American business and businessman at the turn of the century as grasping, greedy, and selfish.

From the Paper:

"All of these novels were written about American business around the turn of the century, and they all take a dim view of the American businessman of the time. "Babbitt" pokes fun at American's prosperity and consumerism. "It was the best of nationally advertised and quantitatively produced alarm-clocks, with all modern attachments, including cathedral chime, intermittent alarm, and a phosphorescent dial. Babbitt was proud of being awakened by such a rich device. Socially it was almost as creditable as buying expensive cord tires" (Lewis 7). It also shows the complete acquiescence of the salesman to his higher ups, a social condition common to these novels. "So well trained was Babbitt in all the conversation that befits a Good Fellow that he almost disgraced himself with 'Rather than make trouble, and always providin? there ain?t any enforcement officers hiding in the waste-basket?' The words died choking in his throat. He bowed in flustered obedience. So did Chum Frink" (Lewis 175)."

Tags: Norris Wharton James Lewis Howells naturaism realism darwinism prosperity consumerism poverty success railroad

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