Summary
Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy, published in 1925, is a landmark work of literature that explores the dark underbelly of the American Dream. Based on a real-life murder case, this epic novel follows the ill-fated pursuits of Clyde Griffiths as he desperately seeks success and social status. Dreiser's unflinching portrayal of early 20th century American society attracted both critical acclaim and controversy, with the book being banned in some areas for its frank depiction of sexuality and crime. The novel's enduring impact is evident in its numerous adaptations, most famously the 1951 film A Place in the Sun, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift, which won six Academy Awards.
Plot
Clyde Griffiths, raised in a poor and religious family, moves to Kansas City as a young man to work as a bellhop. There, he is introduced to a lifestyle of drinking and casual relationships. He becomes infatuated with Hortense Briggs, and begins spending money on her despite his family's needs. After being involved in a fatal car accident, Clyde flees Kansas City, fearing prosecution.
Clyde's wealthy uncle offers him a job at his shirt-collar factory in Lycurgus, New York. Despite warnings not to fraternize with employees, Clyde becomes involved with Roberta Alden, a poor factory worker. Simultaneously, he begins courting Sondra Finchley, a wealthy socialite. When Roberta becomes pregnant and demands marriage, Clyde, dreaming of a life with Sondra, plans to murder Roberta during a boating trip.
On Big Bittern Lake, Clyde's resolve falters. In a moment of panic, he accidentally strikes Roberta with a camera, capsizing the boat. Roberta drowns while Clyde swims to shore. Despite Clyde’s claims of innocence, circumstantial evidence and his own contradictory testimony seal his conviction. After a failed appeal, Clyde is executed by electric chair, bringing a tragic end to his pursuit of the American Dream.
Themes
The dark side of the American Dream
Social class divisions
Ambition and the lure of wealth
Morality and justice
The power of circumstance
Love and desire
Guilt and conscience
Fate vs free will
Setting
An American Tragedy is set in the early 20th century, a period of rapid industrialization and social change in the United States. The story unfolds against the backdrop of America’s burgeoning capitalist economy, where the pursuit of wealth and success drives many individuals to desperate measures.
Geographically, the novel spans several locations across the country. It begins in Kansas City, Missouri, where the protagonist Clyde Griffiths starts his journey. The narrative then shifts to Chicago, Illinois, before settling in the fictional town of Lycurgus, New York. Lycurgus, based on the real-life city of Cortland, serves as the primary setting for much of the story's central events.
The climax of the novel takes place in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York, specifically at the fictional Big Bittern Lake. This location, modeled after the real Big Moose Lake, becomes the site of the tragic event that seals Clyde's fate. Throughout the novel, Theodore Dreiser vividly portrays the stark contrasts between urban and rural America, as well as the disparities between social classes during this transformative era in the nation’s history.
Characters
Clyde Griffiths: The protagonist, a young man from a poor family who desperately pursues success and social status. His ambition and moral weakness lead to tragedy.
Roberta Alden: A factory worker who becomes Clyde's lover. She is innocent and devoted to Clyde.
Sondra Finchley: A wealthy socialite who catches Clyde's eye. She represents Clyde's aspirations for a higher social status.
Samuel Griffiths: Clyde's wealthy uncle who owns a shirt factory. He gives Clyde a job out of a sense of familial obligation.
Gilbert Griffiths: Samuel's son and Clyde's cousin. He is hostile towards Clyde, viewing him as a threat to his own position.
Elvira Griffiths: Clyde's devoutly religious mother. Her strict upbringing contributes to Clyde's rebellious nature.
Hortense Briggs: Clyde's first love interest in Kansas City. She manipulates Clyde for material gifts.
Bella Griffiths: Samuel's daughter and Clyde's cousin. She is initially friendly towards Clyde.
Orville Mason: The district attorney who prosecutes Clyde. He is ambitious and eager to convict Clyde.
Quick facts
An American Tragedy is based on the real-life murder case of Chester Gillette, who was convicted of killing his pregnant girlfriend Grace Brown in New York in 1906.
Theodore Dreiser closely studied newspaper clippings of the case before writing his fictionalized account.
Dreiser gave the main character, Clyde Griffiths, the same initials as the real-life murderer, Chester Gillette.
It took Dreiser nearly six years to complete the novel, which is more than 800 pages long.
The title emphasizes how Clyde's story represents a broader American experience, suggesting that his tragic fate stems from flaws in American society and culture rather than just individual failings.
An American Tragedy was banned in Boston in 1927 due to its sexual content and depiction of abortion.
The novel was burned by Nazis in Germany in 1933 for “dealing with low love affairs."
Legendary filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein wrote an unproduced screenplay adaptation in the late 1920s.
The 1951 film adaptation, A Place in the Sun, starred Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift. It won six Academy Awards, including Best Director for George Stevens.
An American Tragedy was adapted into an opera by composer Tobias Picker, premiering at the Metropolitan Opera in 2005.
TIME magazine included An American Tragedy on its list of top 100 English-language novels published since 1924.
The novel entered the public domain in the United States on January 1, 2021.
About the Author
Theodore Dreiser (1871-1945) was an influential American novelist and journalist. His childhood in Indiana was marked by poverty, an experience that would shape his writing and his worldview. His novels often featured characters striving for success despite lacking strong moral codes and portrayed life as a struggle against ungovernable forces. This style pioneered the naturalist school in American literature.
Dreiser began his career as a journalist in the 1890s, writing for newspapers and magazines before publishing his first novel, Sister Carrie, in 1900. In addition to his debut, his best known works include An American Tragedy (1925), which solidified his place as a major American author.
Throughout his career, Dreiser faced censorship due to his frank depictions of sexuality and social issues. Along with his harsh criticism of capitalism, his commitment to social realism and unflinching portrayal of American life made him a controversial figure but also earned him widespread recognition as one of the most important novelists of his era.
