An American Tragedy

An American Tragedy, published in 1925, is Theodore Dreiser’s epic novel of ambition, crime, and the dark side of the American Dream. Based on a real-life murder case, it follows Clyde Griffiths, a young man driven by desire for social advancement, whose aspirations end in moral and legal downfall. Dreiser’s naturalistic style and unflinching portrayal of societal pressures and individual weakness create a powerful indictment of materialism and inequality. The novel remains a landmark of American realism.