An American Tragedy is a novel by Theodore Dreiser that was first published in 1925. The novel tells the story of Clyde Griffiths, a young man from a poor family who is seduced by the prospect of wealth and power and ends up being convicted of murder.
The novel has been called a “universal tragedy” and a “profoundly pessimistic vision of the American dream.” It is an indictment of the corruption and hypocrisy of America’s industrial age, and it explores the theme of the individual’s struggle against society.
The novel has been praised for its insight into human nature, but it has also been criticized for its melodramatic approach and its lack of sympathetic characters. Regardless, An American Tragedy is a powerful and tragic exploration of the American dream gone wrong.
An American Tragedy is a thought-provoking, frighteningly realistic journey into the mind of a murderer. It is a reflection of its time. And it’s also historical fiction. But what makes this work so special? While society has changed dramatically since 1925, Dreiser’s book, which exposes the futility of “The American Dream” and the agony that pursuing it may cause, accurately reflects social mores at any point in history.
The novel is based on the true story of a young man, Clyde Griffiths, who kills his pregnant girlfriend because he is afraid she will reveal their affair and ruin his chances of making something of himself. Clyde’s entire life has been one of constant striving to do better, to be more than his humble beginnings would allow. But no matter how hard he tries, he can never seem to escape his past or the notice of those who are higher in society than he is. And so, in an act of desperation, Clyde commits what is arguably the most heinous crime imaginable.
What makes An American Tragedy so compelling is Dreiser’s unflinching portrayal of Clyde’s psychology. We see everything that leads up to the murder, and we understand why Clyde does what he does. This is a novel that is as much about the society in which its characters live as it is about the characters themselves. Dreiser’s depiction of the American Dream and the lengths to which some people will go to achieve it is both damning and eye-opening. An American Tragedy is a must-read for anyone interested in social commentary, psychology, or historical fiction.
At the age of two, Theodore Dreiser lost his father, who was a devout German immigrant, when his large wool mill burned down (Survey of American Literature 571). After being struck on the head by a beam, Dreiser’s father suffered from violent mood swings; as a result, he became an evangelist (Survey of American Literature 571). Theodore Dreiser was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1871. His parents were itinerant preachers who were poor at that time.
Dreiser’s mother, a religious zealot, was determined to make her children into “perfect Christian beings” and subjected them to brutal beatings (Survey of American Literature 571). In An American Tragedy, Dreiser writes about the destructive power of the American Dream and its ability to corrupt individuals.
Clyde Griffiths is an idealistic young man who is seduced by the allure of wealth and status. He is determined to rise above his humble origins and becomes involved in a relationship with Sondra Finchley, a high society girl. Clyde is eager to prove himself worthy of Sondra’s love and is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve success.
With the help of his uncle, Frank Griffiths, Clyde gets a job at the factory owned by Sondra’s father. However, Frank is not interested in helping Clyde get ahead; he only wants to use Clyde to further his own business interests. Clyde is soon caught up in a web of deceit and betrayal and finds himself in a position where he must choose between his love for Sondra and his desire for success.
Dreiser’s novel An American Tragedy explores the tragic consequences of chasing the American Dream. The characters in the novel are all driven by their need for money and status. They are willing to do anything to achieve their goals, even if it means sacrificing their values and their lives. In the end, they all pay a price for their greed and ambition.
Dreiser grew up in a family of nomads. Because he lived a nomadic lifestyle, he never had any pals outside of his family. His mother instructed him to avoid debasing and harmful situations while traveling (Hart 236). He rebelled against the fact that his parents were seen as failures due on their strong morals and constant preaching. Clyde Griffiths, Dreiser’s most famous character, became obsessed with living the American Dream for most people in America.
Clyde, born into poverty, is entranced by the prospect of joining the privileged class. An American Tragedy follows Clyde’s tragic journey as he murders to achieve his dream and ends up paying the ultimate price.
Dreiser’s novel An American Tragedy explores the idea of the American Dream and its potential to lead people astray. The main character, Clyde Griffiths, is born into a poor family but dreams of one day becoming wealthy and successful. He is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals, including committing murder. In the end, Clyde pays for his crimes with his life.
In the spring of 1885, while attending a local school in Marquette, Michigan, he met its principal and began teaching him how to write. It is impossible to know whether that was good or bad influence on young Dreiser’s life.
At any rate, once at Indiana University in Bloomington, where he attended elementary grades 1-2 as a 13-year old before flunking out (Dreiser 26), it destroyed his ambition and ruined his academic goals. Instead of preaching, he traded his struggling family for promises of wealth and women in industrial Chicago after arriving there as an impoverished vagabond (Parker 203). There, he married Sara White.
Dreiser’s novels An American Tragedy (1925) and Sister Carrie (1900) are both set in these years, and deal with the American Dream. The American Dream is the belief that anyone can achieve success and prosperity through hard work and determination. Dreiser portrays the dream as a sham, showing that it is actually only possible for a select few to achieve wealth and happiness.
An American Tragedy tells the story of Clyde Griffiths, a poor man from rural Indiana who goes to Chicago in search of the American Dream. He falls in love with Roberta Alden, a rich girl from a good family, but their relationship is forbidden. Clyde murders Roberta out of desperation when she refuses to leave her family and run away with him. He is convicted of the crime and executed. Dreiser’s novel shows that the American Dream is a mirage, and that those who pursue it are likely to be destroyed.
Sister Carrie tells the story of a young woman from Wisconsin who moves to Chicago in search of the American Dream. She becomes a prostitute, but eventually builds a successful business empire. However, she is never contented, and her life is ultimately tragic. Sister Carrie portrays the American Dream as a trap, which ensnares people in its web and destroys them.