Theodore Dreiser was an American novelist and journalist, a pioneer of naturalism. He is known for portraying characters whose value lies not in their moral code, but in their persistence against all obstacles, and literary situations that more closely resemble studies of nature than tales of choice and agency. His works explore the raw realities of life and the struggles of individuals against harsh societal conditions. Dreiser's distinctive style offers a compelling and unflinching look at the human condition.
On one level, An American Tragedy is the story of the corruption and destruction of one man, Clyde Griffiths, who forfeits his life in desperate pursuit of success. On a deeper, more profound level, the novel represents a massive portrayal of the society whose values both shape Clyde's tawdry ambitions and seal his fate