Norris' "McTeague": Themes McTeague, a novel written at the turn of the century by Frank Norris, is a classic example of naturalist writing. This novel is written with the harsh realities that were this time period. There are many themes that occur in naturalism. Some of them that appear in this novel are greed, lust, strife, as well as Darwinism and animal imagery. All of these themes help Norris describe with vivid detail his tragic account of human degradation. One of the forces that drives many characters such is Zerkow, Trina, and McTeague is greed. Zerkow is an old man who has gold fever. All he ever thinks of is wher