Abstract：Theodore Dreiser is one of the most significant naturalist writers in America. He spent the majority of his time engaged in journalism. He visited Chicago, Pittsburgh, New York and other big cities in America, accumulating rich materials for the future literary works. An American Tragedy (1925) is one of Dreiser’s most important works.

An American Tragedy is the tragedy of pursuing the American Dream and a moral tragedy. As an ordinary American young man, Clyde has an American Dream. This thesis tends to explore the protagonist’s American Dream and its tragedy, revealing the evil of the society and the American way of life, as well as the darkness and corruption of its political and judicial system.

This thesis is composed of four chapters. Chapter one introduces the author and his masterpiece An American Tragedy, and reviews the studies about the novels. Chapter two introduces the concept of American Dream carefully. Chapter three is the main part of the paper, focusing on Clyde’s American Dream and his tragedy in the novel. Chapter four is a conclusion, reiterating Dreiser’s outstanding literary talent and the indelible role of An American Tragedy in American literature.

Keywords:  Dreiser  An American Tragedy  American dream  moral tragedy

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 A Brief Introduction to Theodore Dreiser-1

1.2 A Brief Introduction to An American Tragedy-1

1.3 Literature Review-2

Chapter Two An Introduction to American Dream-4

2.1 Definition and Origin of American Dream-4

2.2 American Dream in the Realistic Period-4

Chapter Three The Tragedy of American Dream Embodied in the Novel-6

3.1 An Introduction to Clyde’s American Dream-6

3.2 The Tragedy of Clyde’s American Dream-6

3.2.1 Greed for Social Status and Wealth-7

3.2.2 Moral Degradation-8

3.2.3 Victim of the Corrupted Legal System-10

Chapter Four Conclusion-12

References-13