Theodore Dreiser’s novel The "Genius" is often regarded as the weakest of his major works, although opinions vary as to whether it is a magnificent failure or simply a failure. This complexity arises from Dreiser’s deep personal involvement with the story's protagonist, Eugene Witla, whose life closely mirrors Dreiser's own experiences. While the novel’s artistic weaknesses stem from this subjectivity, it also serves as a compelling document for understanding Dreiser’s life and works.

The Interplay of Life and Art

The "Genius" expounds on the tensions between three intrinsic human elements: the urge for artistic creation, the sexual drive, and the corrupting influence of material success. At the heart of the novel is Eugene’s ongoing struggle to reconcile these forces, despite the narrative’s frequent inconsistencies and redundancies. The story begins with Eugene's simultaneous introduction to creative expression and sexuality, paralleling Dreiser’s own artistic journey. His artistic impulse is rooted in a desire to portray life with realism and vividness, yet his vision of women remains idealistic, characterized by an unattainable "perfect woman" who is eternally young and beautiful.

Marriage and Its Discontents

Eugene's situation grows complicated through his marriage to Angela Blue, a woman towards whom he feels only lukewarm sexual attraction. Angela epitomizes conservative, small-town American morality, which clashes with Eugene’s artistic pursuits and personal growth. Her possessiveness and narrow-mindedness stifle Eugene, contributing to his discontent. As Eugene’s attention drifts to other women, Angela becomes sexually aggressive in a misguided attempt to salvage their marriage. Dreiser provocatively attributes Eugene’s eventual nervous breakdown to the excessive sexual demands Angela places on him.

The Allure and Pitfalls of Material Success

Angela also plays a role in diverting Eugene from his artistic path to a career in advertising, symbolizing the intersection of sex, materialism, and middle-class values that temporarily suppress his creativity. Ironically, Eugene’s return to serious painting is not a rejection of material success but rather a consequence of his extramarital exploits. His affair with a wealthy socialite’s daughter leads to his professional and social downfall, yet it also compels him back to his art, rekindling his creative fervor.

External Forces and Internal Struggles

Dreiser illustrates that even those with strong wills and remarkable talent are often at the mercy of forces beyond their control. Eugene's decisions—whether to pursue art, marry Angela, enter the business world, or return to painting—are largely dictated by external circumstances and his internal impulses, which he seemingly relinquishes to fate. By the novel’s end, signs of hope emerge in Eugene’s renewed focus on painting, his reconciliation with Angela, and his affection for his daughter. Nevertheless, the closing image is one of an aging, discontented artist who remains at odds with his own life, unable to find personal satisfaction or meaning in his art.