Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation
3-1947
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Department
English
Degree Program
English, MA
Committee Chair
Bein, Morris
Committee Co-Chair (if applicable)
Hassold, Ernest C.
Committee Member
Mallalieu, William C.
Subject
Dreiser, Theodore, 1871-1945
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to examine three of Dreiser's major novels in order (1) to show that his philosophy of life is exemplified in his fiction and (2) to determine whether or not his ideas undergo any change. The three novels chosen for this study are The "Genius", An American Tragedy, and The Bulwark, because they cover a span of American life, as Dreiser saw it, from the time of his greatest productivity until his death--a period of thirty years. The first part of the thesis will contain: (1) a general background of the period of which Dreiser is a product and (2) Dreiser's particular background and his attitude toward life. The second part will comprise an analysis of the novels under study, which are to be considered under three major headings: (1) attitude toward religion, (2) attitude toward sex, and (3) attitude toward economic status.
Recommended Citation
Robinson, Susan Mae, "Tragic implications of man's frustration by society in three of Dreiser's novels." (1947). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2062.
https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/2062
