The Genius

by Theodore Dreiser

Overview

Theodore Dreiser's "The Genius" unfolds a poignant exploration of artistic ambition, societal constraints, and personal disillusionment through the life of its protagonist, Eugene Witla. Written in Dreiser's trademark naturalistic style, the narrative delves deep into the psyche of an aspiring artist caught between his creative aspirations and the harsh realities of life in early 20th-century America. The novel captures the essence of the American experience, marked by both opportunity and despair, revealing the complexities of genius in a world often skeptical of unconventional talent. Dreiser, a seminal figure in American literature, was profoundly influenced by his own struggles as a writer and the socio-economic challenges of his time. His experiences in the industrial heartland and encounters with various artistic movements informed his portrayal of Eugene's tumultuous journey. Through his narrative, Dreiser reflects not only on his struggles but also critiques the cultural milieu that suppresses true genius in favor of commercial success. This compelling work is highly recommended for readers interested in the intersections of art and society. "The Genius" serves as a timeless reflection on the price of artistic ambition, making it essential reading for those who seek to understand the broader human condition through the lens of literature.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781622362844
Publisher:	Greatest Books Publisher
Publication date:	03/31/2012
Pages:	736
Product dimensions:	9.40(w) x 6.20(h) x 1.90(d)

About the Author

Clare Virginia Eby is a professor of English at the University of Connecticut. She is the author of Dreiser and Veblen,Saboteurs of the Status Quo, coeditor of The Cambridge Companion to Theodore Dreiser, and editor of the Norton Critical edition of Upton Sinclair's The Jungle.

Editorial Reviews

"This edition provides an opportunity to follow in close compass Dreiser's process of revision. It captures his point of view at a transitional moment in his career, and it sheds light on his subsequent work."—Times Literary Supplement

"This edition provides an opportunity to follow in close compass Dreiser's process of revision. It captures his point of view at a transitional moment in his career, and it sheds light on his subsequent work."—Times Literary Supplement

"This is a superb edition: skillfully edited, fully annotated, usefully contextualized. We have been given a new and almost entirely unknown version of The Genius—the text as originally conceived by Dreiser. It now demands our attention and close study."—James L. W. West III, general editor of the Cambridge Fitzgerald Edition

"The Genius is one of the most overlooked and underrated of Dreiser's novels, yet it is arguably the key book for students of the writer, offering abundant materials for an understanding of the tensions between art and business and between romance and realism. It is also one of the finest portraits of marriage—and of the passions of marital frustration—in all of literature, as well as an exploration of the supposed sexual privileges of genius. Clare Eby's presentation of this earlier and previously unpublished Genius is a triumph of textual and interpretive scholarship, offering in its accompanying essays and apparatus a meticulous consideration of the similarities and differences between the two texts as well as copious explanatory notes. A great addition to Dreiser scholarship, this original version reminds us again of the fascinating evolution of Dreiser's powerful imagination."—Miles Orvell, author of The Real Thing: Imitation and Authenticity in American Culture, 1880-1940

"A first-rate piece of textual scholarship that provides a vital and valuable new perspective on an important novel."—Leonard Cassuto, Fordham University

From the Publisher