About
Theodore Dreiser was a major American naturalist writer. Born into a poor German-immigrant family, he became a journalist before publishing his first novel, Sister Carrie (1900), which caused controversy. His success came with Jennie Gerhardt (1911) and especially An American Tragedy (1925), inspired by a true crime. He explored the social and instinctual forces that determine individuals. Politically engaged, he joined the American Communist Party in 1945.
* 1871-08-27 — † 1945-12-28
Major works
- Sister Carrie (1900)novel
- Jennie Gerhardt (1911)novel
- The Financier (1912)novel
- An American Tragedy (1925)novel
- The Stoic (1947)novel
Key milestones
- 1900Publication of his first novel, Sister Carrie, which was initially suppressed by his publisher for moral reasons.
- 1925Publication of his masterpiece An American Tragedy, based on a real murder case, which achieved great critical and commercial success.
- 1945Joined the American Communist Party shortly before his death.
Themes
naturalismsocial determinismambition and successclass inequalitydesires and instincts
Sources: britannica.com · id.loc.gov · oxfordbibliographies.com