American Tragedy

An American Tragedy is a monumental novel of realism that exposes the dark underside of the American Dream. Theodore Dreiser follows the rise and fall of Clyde Griffiths, a young man driven by ambition, social aspiration, and desire, whose moral weakness leads him toward irreversible tragedy. Deeply psychological and socially critical, the novel examines class inequality, materialism, and personal responsibility. Stark, compelling, and unforgettable, this work remains one of the most important novels of American literature.