The “Genius” (Cyclopedia of Literary Places)
At a glance:
- Author: Theodore Dreiser
- First Published: 1915
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Naturalism
- Time of Work: 1889-1914
- Genres: Long fiction, Naturalistic literature
- Subjects: Values, New York, North America or North Americans, Northeast, U.S., United States or Americans, Sex or sexuality, Twentieth century, Nineteenth century, New York City, Marriage, Midwest, Painting or painters, Success or failure, Christian Science
- Locales: New York, Chicago, IL
Places Discussed
Alexandria. Illinois hometown of Eugene Witla; a typical midwestern town of about ten thousand people. Although Eugene feels too ambitious to remain there, his character is irrevocably influenced by the tranquil beauty of the region and the conservative values of his God-fearing parents, friends, and neighbors. In Alexandria, as in every other place used in this novel, Theodore Dreiser describes Eugene’s surroundings in lavish detail to emphasize his hero’s impressionable nature and artistic sensitivity, which set him apart from ordinary people and make him...
[The entire page is 1061 words long]
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