An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser

An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser, published in 1925, is a seminal work of American literature that delves deeply into the dark complexities of ambition, class disparity, and moral dilemmas. Set in the early 20th century, the novel paints a vivid picture of Clyde Griffiths’ tragic rise and fall, as he grapples with his desire for success and the consequences of his decisions. Dreiser’s work is a cornerstone of the naturalist literary movement, showcasing the deterministic forces that shape human behavior—family, environment, and societal pressures.

Plot Summary

On a warm summer evening in Kansas City, Clyde Griffiths walks alongside his family as they preach in the streets, singing hymns and spreading the gospel. The Griffiths are devoutly religious, led by Clyde’s parents, Asa and Elvira, who operate a small mission in the city. But Clyde, even at a young age, is restless. He resents the life of poverty and religious devotion that binds his family, yearning for something more—something grander and more exciting. This yearning, though vague and undefined, grows with each passing year.

Clyde finds small escapes in mundane jobs—delivering newspapers, working at a five-and-dime store—but they do little to satisfy his growing ambitions. When his older sister, Esta, runs away with an actor, Clyde feels both sympathy and envy. He, too, dreams of escaping his parents’ restrictive grip and the suffocating life of preaching on the streets. Eventually, he finds employment as a bellboy at the Green-Davidson Hotel, and here, his world begins to expand. For the first time, Clyde witnesses luxury up close—elegant women in fine dresses, wealthy men in tailored suits, and the allure of a life far removed from his own.

The glamour of the hotel’s guests captivates him, and he begins to indulge in small pleasures, sneaking off to theaters and cafes with his fellow bellboys. Through these new friendships, Clyde is introduced to a more dangerous side of life—alcohol, women, and the thrill of clandestine adventures. But his new experiences come at a cost. When a night of reckless joyriding ends in tragedy, Clyde flees the city, leaving behind the only life he has known.

He moves to Lycurgus, New York, where, through a distant connection, Clyde is offered a job in his wealthy uncle Samuel Griffiths’ factory. Here, Clyde sees an opportunity for advancement, a chance to rise above his station and prove himself worthy of the Griffiths name. His uncle, while not warmly affectionate, provides Clyde with an entry into a more affluent world. Yet, Clyde remains on the periphery, always conscious of the gap between himself and the privileged circles he yearns to join.

In the factory, Clyde meets Roberta Alden, a sweet and unassuming young woman who works in one of the assembly rooms. Initially drawn to her by her innocence and beauty, Clyde begins a secret relationship with Roberta, as factory rules strictly forbid such fraternization. Their romance blossoms in hidden corners and whispered exchanges, and for a time, Clyde feels fulfilled. But soon, his aspirations pull him in another direction.

At the same time, Clyde becomes infatuated with Sondra Finchley, a glamorous and wealthy socialite whose family represents everything he longs for—status, luxury, and the admiration of high society. Sondra takes a liking to Clyde, and he is swept into her glittering world of country clubs, dances, and lavish parties. Clyde’s desires, once simple, become increasingly complicated. He dreams of leaving Roberta behind and marrying Sondra, believing that only she can offer him the life he truly craves.

But Roberta, unaware of Clyde’s growing distance, falls pregnant. Desperate and frightened, she turns to Clyde for help, assuming he will marry her. Yet Clyde, terrified that his relationship with Roberta will destroy his chances with Sondra, begins to panic. He takes Roberta to doctors, seeking an illegal abortion, but they are refused. With Roberta’s pregnancy advancing, Clyde feels trapped. His two worlds—Roberta and the working-class life she represents, and Sondra’s world of wealth and privilege—seem irreconcilable.

As his desperation mounts, a dark thought begins to take root in Clyde’s mind. While vacationing in the Adirondacks with Roberta, he concocts a plan to rid himself of her once and for all. He invites her out on a secluded lake in a rented boat, intending to stage an accident. As they row, Roberta pleads with Clyde, sensing his coldness, but he remains silent, consumed by his twisted plan.

In the midst of an argument, Clyde strikes Roberta, causing the boat to capsize. As Roberta flails in the water, Clyde hesitates. He could save her—he has the chance—but he lets her drown, swimming to shore alone. Though the act was not entirely premeditated, Clyde’s failure to save her seals his fate. Roberta’s body is found, and an investigation quickly ensues. At first, Clyde believes he can escape suspicion, but the weight of evidence, including letters and witnesses, soon points to him.

Clyde is arrested and put on trial for murder. As the courtroom drama unfolds, the once hopeful and ambitious young man is slowly stripped of his dreams. His attempts to rationalize his actions—to claim it was an accident—fall on deaf ears. The prosecutor paints him as a cold-blooded killer, driven by ambition and greed. Despite his lawyer’s best efforts, Clyde is convicted and sentenced to death.

In his final days, Clyde reflects on the choices that led him to this moment. His life, once full of promise and possibility, has spiraled into tragedy. As he awaits execution, he grapples with the consequences of his actions, the weight of his guilt, and the futility of his ambitions. The life he sought to escape—the religious and moral teachings of his parents—now seems distant and unreachable, replaced by a harsh and indifferent world that has chewed him up and spit him out.

Clyde Griffiths, once full of hope, meets his end not as a great success, but as a tragic figure—a man undone by his own desires and the relentless forces of society.

Main Characters

• Clyde Griffiths: The protagonist, Clyde is a young man from a poor religious family, who becomes consumed by his ambition to escape his humble origins. Throughout the novel, Clyde is driven by his desire for wealth, status, and love, which leads him into moral compromises and ultimately to a tragic downfall. His character represents the dangers of unchecked ambition and the American Dream gone wrong.

• Roberta Alden: Roberta is a factory worker with whom Clyde has a romantic relationship. She becomes pregnant with Clyde’s child, which puts pressure on him to either marry her or find a way out. Roberta’s fate is central to the plot, symbolizing the vulnerability of women in society at the time, particularly those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

• Sondra Finchley: Sondra is a beautiful, wealthy socialite who represents the life Clyde aspires to. She becomes Clyde’s obsession, and his desire to be with her fuels his willingness to abandon Roberta and cross moral boundaries. Sondra is emblematic of the allure and unattainability of the American upper class.

• Asa and Elvira Griffiths: Clyde’s parents, who are devoutly religious and run a street mission. They represent the moral rigidity and poverty from which Clyde wishes to escape. Their faith contrasts with Clyde’s increasing materialism and moral ambiguity.

Theme

• The American Dream and Social Mobility: One of the central themes of An American Tragedy is the promise and pitfalls of the American Dream. Clyde’s yearning to rise above his social station reflects the broader societal ambition for success and upward mobility. However, the novel critiques this dream by showing the destructive consequences of Clyde’s pursuit, as he becomes ensnared by the very ideals that motivate him.

• Class and Society: Dreiser explores the rigid class structures of early 20th-century America, where social mobility is not as accessible as it seems. Clyde’s relationship with Roberta and his fascination with Sondra expose the disparities between the working class and the elite. His struggle to transcend his social class mirrors the societal barriers that prevent true equality.

• Moral Ambiguity and Determinism: The novel delves into Clyde’s moral struggles, as he constantly vacillates between right and wrong. Dreiser presents a deterministic worldview where Clyde’s decisions are shaped by his environment, upbringing, and the social forces around him, suggesting that human behavior is not entirely under one’s control. This moral ambiguity is central to the novel’s tragedy.

• Justice and Guilt: Dreiser also touches upon themes of justice, guilt, and the legal system. As Clyde’s actions lead him deeper into deception, the novel questions the fairness of societal justice and whether individuals like Clyde are fully responsible for their crimes or are victims of larger, uncontrollable forces.

Writing Style and Tone

Dreiser’s writing is rooted in the naturalist tradition, characterized by its detailed, almost clinical observation of human behavior and societal conditions. His style is often dense, with long, descriptive passages that provide insight into the characters’ inner thoughts and the environment that shapes them. Dreiser employs a third-person omniscient narrator, allowing readers to understand not only Clyde’s motivations but also the broader societal forces at play. This narrative style emphasizes the deterministic theme, as the characters’ fates seem inevitable, driven by external pressures rather than personal choice.

The tone of An American Tragedy is largely somber and tragic, as Dreiser depicts a world where individuals are often powerless against their circumstances. The mood is reflective of the harsh realities of life for people like Clyde, who are trapped by their ambitions and social class. Dreiser’s tone often carries a sense of moral questioning, as he invites readers to ponder the ethics of Clyde’s actions and the societal structures that lead to his downfall.