Final answer:
In the novel McTeague, the protagonist descends from his respectable working-class position to becoming a fugitive murderer due to environmental forces and natural drives.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the novel mentioned, McTeague descends from his working-class respectability to becoming a fugitive murderer due to a combination of environmental forces and natural drives.
Norris portrays McTeague as driven by his instinctual desires for wealth, status, and power, which ultimately lead him to make morally questionable decisions. Additionally, the oppressive and corrupt society depicted in the novel also contributes to McTeague's downfall.
The exploitative nature of the gold rush era and the prevalence of moral decay push McTeague to commit violent acts as he becomes increasingly desperate.