Theodore Dreiser Libri

Set against the backdrop of the Gilded Age, the narrative follows Frank Cowperwood, a businessman who rises to wealth after exploiting the Panic of 1873. After relocating to Chicago with his young lover, he aggressively takes control of the city's transit system, showcasing his ambition and greed. However, as his past catches up with him, he faces social ostracism and personal turmoil, leading to a profound questioning of his values and ambitions. This tale of romance, betrayal, and societal critique remains a significant reflection on American life.

“When a girl leaves home at eighteen, she does one of two things. Either she falls into saving hands and becomes better, or she rapidly assumes the cosmopolitan standard of virtue and becomes worse.” With Sister Carrie, first published in 1900, Theodore Dreiser transformed the conventional “fallen woman” story into a genuinely innovative and powerful work of fiction. As he hurled his impressionable midwestern heroine into the throbbing, amoral world of the big city, he revealed, with brilliant insight, the deep and driving forces of American culture: the restless idealism, glamorous materialism, and basic spiritual innocence. Sister Carrie brought American literature into the twentieth century. This volume, which reprints the text Dreiser approved for publication during his lifetime and includes a special appendix discussing his earlier, unedited manuscript, is the original standard edition of one of the great masterpieces of literary realism.

The book represents a dedicated effort to preserve and repair classic literature, ensuring that original texts remain accessible and appreciated. It highlights the importance of maintaining literary heritage while providing readers with a chance to engage with timeless works in their authentic form.

The book is a significant classical work that explores themes of travel and personal reflection. It has been carefully reformatted and retyped to ensure clarity and readability, making it accessible for contemporary readers. The effort to preserve this literary piece highlights its enduring importance throughout history, aiming to keep its insights alive for future generations.

The narrative centers on Peter, a uniquely compelling character who stands apart from the mundane intellectual landscape of America. His profound understanding of life and people, coupled with his spiritual and moral freedom, makes him a refreshing presence. The author portrays Peter as an oasis in a desert of dreariness, highlighting his distinctiveness and the depth of his character in contrast to those around him.

Theodore Dreiser, an influential American novelist and journalist, is known for his naturalist approach in literature. His works frequently explore protagonists who achieve their goals without a strong moral compass, presenting narratives that resemble studies of nature rather than traditional tales of choice and free will. This unique perspective highlights the complexities of human behavior and societal influences, making his novels a significant contribution to the naturalist movement.

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