The Titan

by Theodore Dreiser

Overview

Theodore Dreiser's "The Titan" plunges into the heart of early 20th-century American capitalism, exploring the ruthless ambition of financiers and their relentless pursuit of power. Set against the backdrop of a burgeoning Chicago, this novel paints a vivid portrait of a society consumed by business and the intoxicating allure of wealth.

A powerful and enduring work of literary fiction, "The Titan" delves into the lives of those who shaped the economic landscape, capturing the spirit of an era defined by both unprecedented opportunity and unbridled greed. Dreiser's meticulous attention to historical detail brings this world to life, offering readers a fascinating glimpse into the high-stakes world of business and finance. This classic exploration of capitalism remains relevant, prompting reflection on the human cost of ambition and the enduring impact of the titans who built modern America.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781023145565
Publisher:	Anson Street Press
Publication date:	03/28/2025
Pages:	452
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Theodore Dreiser’s An American Tragedy (1925) is nothing less than what the title holds it to be; it is the story of a weak-willed young man who is both villain and victim (the victim of a valueless, materialistic society) and someone who ultimately destroys himself. Dreiser modeled the story of Clyde Griffiths on a real-life murder that took place in 1906; a young social climber of considerable charm murdered his pregnant girlfriend to get her out of the way so that he could instead play to the affections of a rich girl who had begun to notice him. But An American Tragedy is more than simply a powerful murder story. Dreiser pours his own dark yearnings into his character, Clyde Griffiths, as he details the young man’s course through his ambitions of wealth, power, and satisfaction. The Indiana-born Dreiser (1871-1945) has never cut a dashing or romantic swath through American literature. He has no Pulitzer or Nobel Prize to signify his importance. Yet he remains for myriad reasons: his novels are often larger than life, rugged, and defy the norms of conventional morality and organized religion. They are unapologetic in their sexual candor—in fact, outrightly frank—and challenge even modern readers. The brooding force of Dreiser’s writing casts a dark shadow across American letters. Here in An American Tragedy, Dreiser shows us the flip side of The American Dream in a gathering storm that echoes with all of the power and force of Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment. Inspired by the writings of Balzac and the ideas of Spenser and Freud, Dreiser went on to become one of America’s best naturalist writers. An American Tragedy is testimony to the strength of Dreiser’s work: it retains all of its original intensity and force.