Showing results by author "Theodore Dreiser" in All Categories

In Titan, Cowperwood relocates to Chicago with his new wife, Aileen, determined to seize control of the city’s street-railway system. With the cunning support of political allies like John J. McKenty, he ruthlessly bankrupts his competitors. However, as whispers of his scandalous past in Philadelphia reach Chicagos elite, the couple finds themselves ostracized from social circles. Meanwhile, Cowperwoods infidelities come to light, leading to a confrontation when Aileen discovers his affair with Rita. Heartbroken, she turns to the privileged Polk Lynde, only to lose faith in him as well. As ...

Theodore Dreiser (1871–1945) was a prominent American author of the naturalist movement, known for his unflinching portrayal of lifes harsh realities. In his groundbreaking first novel, Sister Carrie (1900), we follow a naïve young woman from the countryside as she ventures into the bustling streets of Chicago, chasing her own version of the American Dream. Her journey begins with becoming a mistress to powerful men and culminates in her rise as a celebrated actress. Despite the alterations made by Dreiser and his wife to make the manuscript more acceptable to contemporary audiences, the ...

A magnificent portrayal of 1890's America and the harsh realities of a dog-eat-dog world, Sister Carrie lies at the forefront of American Naturalism. When poor young provincial woman Carrie Meeber arrives in Chicago, she little expects to be catapulted from lower-class woman to prominent Broadway actress. Passive and yielding, she lets circumstances coerce her into action and by good fortune she arrives at fame. It is in Chicago that Carrie meets a successful businessman, Hurstwood, who helps her establish her name.

An American Tragedy is the story of Clyde Griffiths, who spends his life in the desperate pursuit of success. On a deeper, more profound level, it is the masterful portrayal of the society whose values both shape Clyde's ambitions and seal his fate; it is an unsurpassed depiction of the harsh realities of American life and of the dark side of the American dream.

The Titan is the second volume in what the author called his "trilogy of desire," featuring the character of Frank Cowperwood, a powerful, irresistibly compelling man driven by his own need for power, beautiful women, and social prestige.

Set in 18th century Philadelphia, the book follows Frank as he amasses a large fortune through stock speculation and purchases of shares in the growing street railway industry. He marries an older woman and has two children and uses his new found wealth to become socially prominent. Things however take a turn for the worst when he has an affair with Aileen Butler, the daughter of a politically prominent Irish industrialist.

Sister Carrie is an epic of urban life, the story of an innocent heroine adrift in an indifferent city. When small-town girl Carrie Meeber sets out for Chicago, she is equipped with nothing but a few dollars, a certain unspoiled beauty and charm, and a pitiful lack of preparation for the complex moral choices she will face. Her story is one of struggle, from sweatshop to stage success, and of the love she inspires in a married man twice her age, whose obsession with her threatens to destroy him.

Adapted for radio by award-winning dramatist Steve Chambers, it follows 18-year-old Carrie as she travels to Chicago to start a new life, only to find her idealistic dreams crushed by grim reality. Destiny takes over when her fresh prettiness attracts the attention of smooth-talking salesman Charlie Drouet. Carrie’s desire for the good life overcomes her misgivings about living in sin, and she allows herself to be seduced by him.

The greatest short story writers strive to achieve a single, dramatic effect, a feature which the early masters of this genre perfected. Although the short story came from Europe, it was reborn in America and reached a pinnacle of superb form on these shores by the turn of the 20th century. In so many of our best writers, we hear echoes of a pioneer ethos that sustains the heart of a great literature. Here are 12 of America's best.

The first in a "trilogy of desire", The Financier tells the story of the ruthlessly dominating broker Frank Cowperwood as he climbs the ladder of success, his adoring mistress championing his every move. Based on the life of flamboyant finance captain C. T. Yerkes, Theodore Dreiser's cutting portrayal of the unscrupulous magnate Cowperwood embodies the idea that behind every great fortune there is a crime.

This story follows a true crime murder case from New York in 1906. Clyde Griffiths is the impoverished young man from a family of street preachers who dreams of bettering his station in life. However, his dream ends in murder and he is subsequently arrested and put on trial—putting the media in a frenzy.

Jennie Gerhardt is the tragic story of an innocent, caring, beautiful young girl from an extremely poor family who throughout her life is drawn into affairs with two different men from a much higher social class. How members of her family, the family of one of the wealthy men, and society in general react to her situation is the basis of this classic story.

This classic novel describes an ambitious poor relative of a rich man who secures an opportunity in his uncle’s factory and has a social leap to prospectively marry another rich man’s daughter in town. Similar to Gatsby and published in the same year, 1925.

This powerful novel explores the dynamics of the financial world during the Civil War and after the stock market panic caused by the Chicago fire. Frank Cowperwood, a ruthlessly domineering wheeler-dealer, experiences both the heights and the depths of the financial world, always with his loving mistress championing his every move.

Immerse yourself in the dynamic tapestry of early 20th Century New York City, as envisioned by the brilliant Theodore Dreiser. Renowned for his evocative storytelling, Dreiser invites you into the lives of those crammed into bustling tenements, where love and heartbreak intertwine with the harsh realities of urban life. Witness subway workers risking everything for a mere paycheck, the stark truths of animal slaughter, and the heartfelt narratives of songwriters caught in the struggle between success and despair. From the haunting alleys of Little Italy to the lively streets where sandwich men...

Immerse yourself in the poignant tale of Jennie Gerhardt, a beautiful and compassionate young woman born into extreme poverty. As she navigates the complexities of life, she becomes entangled in affairs with two men from vastly different social standings. The reactions of her family, the wealthy mans family, and society at large form the heart of this gripping story. (Summary by Richard Kilmer)

This collection presents eleven of Dreiser’s best tales, ranging from trenchant social analysis to penetrating character study.

In the bustling city of Philadelphia, young Frank Cowperwood dreams big, starting his journey to wealth by flipping inexpensive soaps for profit. With a banking legacy behind him, he quickly climbs the corporate ladder, first at Henry Waterman & Company and then at Tighe & Company. Despite his youth, he marries a wealthy widow, but as ambition drives him, he becomes embroiled in a web of municipal embezzlement. The devastating Great Chicago Fire of 1871 triggers a stock market crash that leaves him bankrupt and exposed, leading to a desperate battle against the political machinations that seek...

Besides the title story, this collection also includes "The Second Choice", "The Lost Phoebe", and "Marriage". These stories delve into the ups and downs of relationships, love, and death. They once again prove Dreiser to be one of America's finest writers.

Based on a true incident, young Clyde Griffiths revolts against the poverty and missionary zeal of his parents as he pursues job advancement, acceptance in the world of society and the affections of two women. The solution to his romantic dilemma is vividly described in this haunting, sometimes horrific story.