Theodore Dreiser Biography
Theodore Dreiser was praised as “the greatest living realist” of the early twentieth century. Dreiser’s novels often reflect the tension between parents who immigrate to the New World and the children they raise under its shifting cultural and moral values. And although his works stand on their own artistic merit, Dreiser is probably almost as famous for the literary censorship that plagued him as much as for his writing itself. For example, Sister Carrie (probably his best-known work, and based heavily on his own sister’s affair with a married man) almost did not get published at all because of its perceived immorality. After much wrangling, the novel went on to achieve great critical success, and Dreiser himself had a long career, writing a total of twenty-seven works before he died in 1945.
Facts and Trivia
- Dreiser was the ninth of ten surviving children. He grew up impoverished and did not graduate from high school.
- A strict Catholic school upbringing turned the author off of Catholicism in general. His struggle with public schools and faith is a frequent theme of his work.
- Dreiser was a committed socialist and visited the Soviet Union.
- His brother, Paul Dresser (who was born Johann Paul Dreiser) was a famous singer, songwriter and comedic actor.
- He suffered writer’s block for a period of three years but overcame it to write prolifically in the 1930s and 1940s.
- Dreiser worked as the managing editor of a women’s magazine called Ev’ry Month. While at the magazine, he wrote book and art reviews, considered social problems, and posed philosophical questions.
- Dreiser was interested in returning from his first European vacation on the Titanic but was talked out of it in favor of a cheaper voyage.
- Dreiser was a good friend and supporter of birth control advocate Margaret Sanger.
Biography
Theodore Dreiser was a pioneering force in American literature, renowned for his candid portrayal of societal challenges, innate human desires, and the deterministic nature of existence. His work confronted censorship and influenced a new generation of writers to explore themes of realism and social justice. Through his novels, Dreiser laid bare the harsh realities of early 20th-century America, ultimately shaping cultural and literary landscapes.
Early Life and Formative Years
Theodore Herman Albert Dreiser was born on August 27, 1871, in Terre Haute, Indiana. He was the eleventh of twelve children born to John Paul Dreiser, a German Catholic immigrant, and Sarah Schanab, a Moravian farmer's daughter. John Paul found initial success in Sullivan, Indiana, as a weaver, but disaster struck in 1870 when a fire destroyed his woolen mill, and an accident during the rebuilding left him severely injured. Financial ruin followed, forcing the family into a cycle of poverty and frequent relocations.
The Dreisers' misfortunes shaped Theodore's upbringing, instilling in him a keen awareness of social inequities and a growing resentment toward his lot in life. As the family moved from place to place, Theodore received his education from Catholic parochial and public schools, eventually settling in Warsaw, Indiana, in 1884. His father's strict religious beliefs and the family's financial struggles left Dreiser with a sense of insecurity and a growing disillusionment with religion.
Seeking independence at sixteen, Dreiser moved to Chicago, though his initial efforts were met with little success. His physical appearance was memorably described by Edgar Lee Masters in a poetic caricature, emphasizing Dreiser's gangly stature and distinctive features. Despite the challenges, an older friend encouraged Dreiser's burgeoning interest in literature, paving the way for his eventual enrollment at Indiana University for a brief period. This experience ignited his desire for self-improvement and set him on a literary path.
Journalism and Emerging Voice
Dreiser began his career in journalism in 1892 with the Chicago Globe, soon moving to the Globe-Democrat in St. Louis. Over the next decade, he honed his reporting skills across various cities, delving into the lives of striking workers and uncovering the stark inequalities perpetuated by industrial magnates like Rockefeller and Carnegie. These encounters enriched his understanding of American society, providing the grist for his future novels characterized by realism and social critique.
During the 1890s, Dreiser also experienced personal milestones. He married Sarah Osborne White in 1898 after a turbulent courtship, although the marriage eventually ended in separation. This period marked the genesis of Dreiser's fiction-writing career. His short stories garnered some success, and he began work on his first novel, Sister Carrie, published in 1900. The novel’s themes of societal pressures and personal ambition would become hallmarks of Dreiser's work.
Breakthrough and Censorship Battles
Sister Carrie challenged traditional morality tales of the time by avoiding moral judgment on its protagonist, Carrie Meeber, who rises from factory worker to actress. The novel faced significant censorship obstacles, with Doubleday reluctantly publishing it in a limited run. However, its innovative narrative and raw depiction of urban life set a precedent that Dreiser would build upon throughout his career. The book’s initial failure plunged Dreiser into despair, but he eventually found new opportunities in editorial positions, allowing him to continue writing.
His subsequent novel, Jennie Gerhardt (1911), explored similar themes of social barriers and class conflict, reaffirming Dreiser's commitment to depicting unvarnished reality. The novel’s reception mirrored that of Sister Carrie, sparking debates about the portrayal of illicit relationships and the perceived threat to societal values.
Trilogies and Literary Impact
Dreiser's "trilogy of desire," beginning with The Financier in 1912, delved into...
(This entire section contains 1056 words.)
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the ambitions and unscrupulous behavior of Frank Cowperwood, a character based on real-life magnate Charles Tyson Yerkes. The series, although mired in publication challenges, offered a critical lens on capitalism and its corrosive effects on the human soul. The final book,The Stoic, was published posthumously in 1947, completing Dreiser's exploration of economic and moral complexities.
The "Genius" (1915), another of Dreiser's noteworthy works, was a self-reflective piece that further embroiled him in censorship disputes due to its candid treatment of marital strife and creative freedom. The novel was temporarily withdrawn from publication, highlighting the era's ongoing tensions between literary expression and societal norms.
Masterpiece and Later Years
An American Tragedy (1925) stands as Dreiser’s magnum opus, weaving a narrative of ambition, crime, and the inexorable forces of fate. Based on a real murder trial, the novel critiques the capitalist system and presents a deterministic view of human behavior. Although banned in some regions, its success cemented Dreiser's status as a pivotal figure in American literature, influencing future narratives and inspiring adaptations, including a film version.
In the later years of his life, Dreiser turned his attention to political activism, reflecting his socialist sympathies. His visit to the Soviet Union inspired works like Dreiser Looks at Russia (1928), and he dedicated himself to supporting the disenfranchised during the Great Depression. Recognized for his contributions, Dreiser received the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award of Merit and even joined the Communist Party before his death in 1945. Dreiser's final act of generosity was to direct his estate, through his wife, to aid a black orphanage, underscoring his lifelong commitment to social justice.
The Legacy of Theodore Dreiser
Posthumously, Dreiser's legacy has only grown, with his novels gaining recognition for their formidable honesty and influence on American literature. His work consistently explored the individual's struggle against societal forces, an idea that resonated deeply in the rapidly industrializing American society of his time. Dreiser's unflinching portrayal of capitalism's effects and his challenge to the myth of a classless society hallmark his enduring impact.
Moreover, Dreiser's role in advancing American naturalism cannot be understated. Drawing on evolutionary theories, he presented life as a mechanistic struggle, influencing contemporaries like Sinclair Lewis and John Steinbeck. His insistence on addressing sex as a fundamental aspect of human life paved the way for subsequent authors, helping dismantle the barriers imposed by censors and shaping a more liberated literary landscape.
Comprehensive Resources
For a deeper understanding of Dreiser's literary contributions and personal journey, numerous biographies and essays offer valuable insights. Noteworthy works include Robert H. Elias's Theodore Dreiser: Apostle of Nature, Philip L. Gerber's Theodore Dreiser, and Alfred Kazin's collection, The Stature of Theodore Dreiser. These texts explore the intersections of Dreiser's life experiences and literary output, providing readers with a comprehensive view of his enduring legacy.
