Theodore Dreiser

Definition

Theodore Dreiser was an American novelist and journalist who was a prominent figure in the naturalist movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His works explored the harsh realities of life, often focusing on the struggles of the working class and the impact of industrialization on individuals.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dreiser's most famous works include the novels 'Sister Carrie' and 'An American Tragedy', which are considered seminal works of American naturalism.
2. Dreiser's writing style was characterized by a detached, objective tone that aimed to present the harsh realities of life without moral judgment.
3. Dreiser's works often explored themes of social and economic inequality, the corrupting influence of wealth and power, and the limitations of individual agency in the face of larger societal forces.
4. Dreiser's novels were controversial in their time for their frank depictions of sexuality and their critiques of the capitalist system and the American dream.
5. Dreiser's writing style and thematic concerns were influential in the development of the literary movement of American naturalism, which sought to apply scientific principles to the study of human behavior and social conditions.

Review Questions

• Describe the key features of Theodore Dreiser's writing style and how it reflects the principles of naturalism.
  • Dreiser's writing style was characterized by a detached, objective tone that aimed to present the harsh realities of life without moral judgment. This approach aligned with the principles of naturalism, which sought to apply scientific principles to the study of human behavior and social conditions. Dreiser's novels often explored themes of social and economic inequality, the corrupting influence of wealth and power, and the limitations of individual agency in the face of larger societal forces, reflecting the naturalist belief that human beings are shaped by forces beyond their control, such as heredity, environment, and social conditions.
• Analyze the significance of Dreiser's most famous works, 'Sister Carrie' and 'An American Tragedy', in the context of the naturalist movement.
  • Dreiser's novels 'Sister Carrie' and 'An American Tragedy' are considered seminal works of American naturalism. 'Sister Carrie' explores the struggles of a young woman who leaves her small town to pursue a life in the city, where she is forced to confront the harsh realities of industrialization and the corrupting influence of wealth and power. 'An American Tragedy' follows the story of a young man who is driven to commit murder by his desire for social and economic advancement, highlighting the deterministic forces that shape human behavior and the limitations of individual agency. Both novels exemplify the naturalist principles of presenting human beings as products of their environment and social conditions, rather than as autonomous agents capable of shaping their own destinies.
• Evaluate the impact of Dreiser's writing and the naturalist movement on the development of American literature and social thought.
  • Dreiser's writing and the naturalist movement had a significant impact on the development of American literature and social thought. Dreiser's frank depictions of sexuality and his critiques of the capitalist system and the American dream were controversial in their time, but they paved the way for more realistic and socially conscious literature that challenged traditional assumptions about human behavior and social structures. The naturalist movement, of which Dreiser was a prominent figure, helped to shift the focus of American literature towards the study of the impact of social, economic, and biological factors on individual lives, and contributed to the growing awareness of the need for social and political reform to address issues of inequality and injustice. Dreiser's works and the naturalist movement continue to be influential in the study of American literature and the ongoing efforts to understand and address the complex social and economic challenges facing society.

Related terms

Naturalism: A literary movement that emerged in the late 19th century, which aimed to depict human beings and their behavior as being shaped by forces beyond their control, such as social, economic, and biological factors.

Determinism: The belief that all events, including human actions and choices, are determined by factors outside of an individual's control, such as heredity, environment, and social conditions.

Muckraking: A type of journalism that exposed corruption, scandal, and injustice in society, often with the goal of bringing about social and political reform.