An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser (72 down, 28 to go)

Under the merciful direction of a living God, was it not evil in a mother to believe evil of a child, however dread his erring ways might seem? ~ Clyde Griffith’s mother

This is the first time I’ve read An American Tragedy or Dreiser. The book is a naturalist novel, set in early 20th century America, probably 1920s. It is the third-person narrative about Clyde Griffiths who is born to a life of no privilege or prospect, yet who aspires to something more, the American dream no less. You might infer from the title – not all his dreams come true.

My rating: 4 1/2 of 5 stars

 

Clyde is the eldest child of poor street missionaries living in Kansas City when the novel opens. As a teen, Clyde senses the disadvantages his parents’ calling places him in. He quietly resents their backwardness and yearns for something more, but he has no plan and knows of no way out of the life he’s is trapped within. In the beginning, I thought Dreiser was a bit contemptuous of Christianity, as he portrayed Clyde’s parents, but later chapters convince me otherwise. Clyde’s father is clearly rather simple and weak, but even in the early chapters, Dreiser gives greater respect to Clyde’s mother.

In spite of his disadvantages, Clyde manages to catch a break or two and seems to be slowly rising above his previous position. He gets a job as a bellboy in a posh Kansas City hotel, which with tips, actually pays pretty well for a young man of his age and abilities. It also introduces him to a sensual lifestyle that he indulges in, though not without with pangs of guilt and even disgust.

Then tragedy strikes, and even though he is not directly at fault, Clyde flees Kansas City in fear of the law. He ends up in Chicago where he again seems to be clawing his way up in society – when a fortuitous meeting with a rich uncle, gives Clyde his first truly bright hope. The reader hopes too, because the reader is by this time cheering for Clyde, who is a good kid at heart, clearly beaten down by circumstance. The reader hopes, but there is that ominous title on the cover.

SPOILER ALERT: The following contains a spoiler

Clyde’s uncle, a clothing manufacturer in Upstate New York, invites Clyde to come east and he will try to find him a position in his factory. Clyde makes his way to New York, and is indeed given a job. With no qualifications, he is given a menial job, but once again things seem to be improving for Clyde. But he is quite alone. His look-alike cousin, who runs the factory is dubious of Clyde’s ambition and seems intent on not letting Clyde go far. Clyde’s uncle however, clearly no fool and with more compassion than his son, intervenes to allow opportunity for Clyde’s advancement.

Clyde is still quite alone. He is invited to his uncle’s house, but it only highlights the difference between his place in society and theirs. Meanwhile, the workers consider him a Griffiths, nephew of the owner, and not of their social standing. And then, there is a company rule that prohibits Clyde from fraternizing with the young female employees that he now supervises.

In spite of the rule, Clyde is infatuated with one particular girl, Roberta Alden, who like Clyde, comes from a poor Christian family. Roberta clearly likes Clyde as well, and the two embark on a series of clandestine liaisons, usually at outdoor venues in nearby towns, to avoid being seen together. However, as winter approaches Clyde pressures Roberta to allow him to visit her in her apartment, something she has never allowed. Roberta resists, but for fear of losing him eventually acquiesces – and then of course – you know the rest – she surrenders even more to him – and then she has a problem she will not be able to hide for long.

At the same time, Clyde is finally gaining entrance into circles of the best of society. His uncle’s family is still aloof, but other rich families, peers of the Griffiths, perceive that Clyde is after all a Griffiths, and likely destined to a greater role in the company. He is accepted into the best of society and even manages to win the affection of Sondra Finchley, one of the wealthiest, and prettiest young women. He all but forgets Roberta – but she will not let him forget.

And that is Clyde’s dilemma. He finally sees his dreams as possibly coming true, but Roberta can ruin it all.

Now you are probably already thinking what a scoundrel, and you’re right, in fact you don’t know the half. I can’t possibly make you feel in a few paragraphs, what Dreiser made me feel in hundreds of pages. So, you’ll just have to trust me. But I say this to prepare you – I’m going to make assertions that just won’t seem believable – not about what happens in the novel, but about how Dreiser made me feel about what happens in the novel.

Clyde is trapped. If he does the right thing by Roberta, it will destroy all his aspirations. He cannot do nothing though, for once Roberta is exposed, she will expose Clyde, and destroy his aspirations regardless.

So, he contemplates murder.

Remember I said Clyde was a good kid at heart? Remember I said the reader is cheering for him?

But not now, right? He’s a monster, right?

Dreiser eases the reader into this so gradually, so subtly, so disturbingly – that I didn’t think Clyde was a monster. I still liked him. I was still cheering for him. Not cheering that he could pull off murder, but wishing there was some way out for him, some way he could keep his dreams alive.

The way Dreiser describes Clyde’s descent into contemplating so heinous a crime is brilliant. A newspaper article about a boating accident spawns the idea in Clyde’s mind, but he is immediately repulsed. Later, it crosses his mind again and again he is repulsed but he lingers just a bit longer on the thought. And seductively the demons whisper lies and despair. Clyde is convinced it is his only option. It can be done. It makes sense. It might even be justified.

Not buying it, are you? As I said, I can’t bring you along as Dreiser does. But how often have we heard of a brutal murder? The friends and family of the murderer are in disbelief – they never imagined he was capable of such a thing. We usually only read about the ghastly crime scene – and we know the murderer is a monster. Dreiser does a masterful job of portraying the slow, subtle corruption of the good kid, the kid I was cheering for.

There but for the grace of God, go I.

I’m not entirely comfortable with that thought, but I doubt Dreiser was trying to make me comfortable.

Clyde plots Roberta’s murder and puts his plan in action, and Roberta does indeed end up dead. But is Clyde guilty? Under a very fine point of law, perhaps not. At the last second, he finds he cannot go through with it, but in the intensity and confusion, there is an accident – truly an accident – and Roberta is drowned.

In the ensuing investigation, all of Clyde’s plotting comes to light and there is no hope of convincing the jury it was an accident.

Clyde is convicted and sentenced to be executed.

And then, Dreiser stunned me. While awaiting execution, Clyde is visited by Reverend McMillan, sent by Clyde’s mother. The Reverend is unconvinced of Clyde’s innocence, and confronts Clyde with the greater question: is he guilty before the Supreme Judge, who needs no evidence or argument to discern the truth?

And Clyde is born again.

Shortly before his execution, Clyde writes the following letter and gives it to Rev McMillan to make public:

In the shadow of the Valley of Death it is my desire to do everything that would remove any doubt as to my having found Jesus Christ, the personal Savior and unfailing friend. My one regret at this time is that I have not given Him the preeminence in my life while I had the opportunity to work for Him.If I could only say some one thing that would draw young men to Him I would deem it the greatest privilege ever granted me. But all I can now say is, “I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day”If the young men of this country could only know the joy and pleasure of a Christian life, I know they would do all in their power to become earnest, active Christians, and would strive to live as Christ would have them live.There is not one thing I have left undone which will bar me from facing my God, knowing that my sins are forgiven, for I have been free and frank in my talks with my spiritual adviser, and God knows where I stand.My task is done, the victory won. CLYDE GRIFFITHS

And Clyde, who all his life has been self-obsessed and discontented, kisses his mother and goes serenely to his death.

Other excerpts:

Write your mother, Clyde, and bear in mind that her love is always with you – guiding you – pleading with you to do right in the name of the Lord. ~ letter from Clyde’s mother

What was it about his life that made things happen to him? Was this what his life was to be like? Running away from one situation and another just to start all over somewhere else – perhaps only to be compelled to flee from something worse. ~ Clyde Griffiths

No! She could not doubt him – even now. Under the merciful direction of a living God, was it not evil in a mother to believe evil of a child, however dread his erring ways might seem? ~ Clyde’s mother

Film Rendition: The title is changed for the 1951 film, A Place in the Sun, starring Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor, and Shelley Winters. This is a very good rendition. I thought it was well cast and well acted. The ending was a bit less powerful, but otherwise a faithful adaptation.

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A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce (36 down 64 to go)

You are an artist, are you not, Mr. Dedalus?...The object of the artist is the creation of the beautiful. What the beautiful is is another question.

This was the first time I’ve read A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, and the second novel I've read by Joyce. This novel is in the modernist style, using free indirect speech, and set in late 19th, early 20th century Ireland. The story is exactly what the title asserts, the tale of an artist’s life and development or Künstlerroman.

 

My rating: 3 1/2 of 5 stars

 

I’ve been dreading this book, as I disliked my previous experience with Joyce, but my dread was for naught. I enjoyed A Portrait of the Artist. It isn’t a favorite, but it has some beautiful prose, and was much easier to read than Ulysses. If you’ve ever thought of tackling Ulysses, I’d recommend reading A Portrait of the Artist first.

 

The artist, is Stephen Dedalus whose destiny was to be elusive of social or religious orders. Dedalus is the alter ego of the author, who tells the tale in only five chapters. Chapter one begins with possibly Stephen’s earliest conscious thoughts, of rhymes probably told by his mother. It takes him through school days at a Jesuit school, where he is not very popular until he is wrongfully punished by one of the priests. He becomes a hero, when he complains to the rector and receives vindication.

 

In chapter two, Stephen is older (thank you Captain Obvious). Joyce seldom sets the precise date or Stephens’s age, so the reader is left to infer. Financial difficulties force a move to new home and school. By the end of the chapter, probably in his late teens, Stephen roams the streets of Dublin and encounters a prostitute resulting in his first sexual experience.

 

In chapter three Stephen revels for a bit in a hedonistic lifestyle, only occasionally burdened by his sin. But during a retreat at his school one of the priests gives a terrifying portrayal of hell, and Stephen in fear for his immortal soul, repents, and amends his ways.

 

In chapter four the reader sees his piety is sincere and he is for the most part at peace, though he still has doubts from time to time. He is recognized for his devotion, and one of the priests invites him to consider the priesthood. Stephen is at first thrilled and honored, but becomes less and less enamored with the austere lifestyle; he has an epiphany, and decides he is not meant to join the Holy Order. This too brings a sense of peace, and is one of Stephen’s first independent decisions: 

...independent of familial, national, and religious ties that have influenced him thus far.

 

The end he had been born to serve yet did not see had led him to escape by an unseen path and now it beckoned to him once more and a new adventure was about to be opened to him.

 

Chapter five was my favorite chapter. It begins with Stephen at home, the family still in financial straits, and concludes with Stephen at university. He is intellectually superior to at least one of his professors, and certainly to most of his fellow students. They love to engage in rhetoric and debate, self-satisfied with their own wit and wisdom. Much of the discourse is vain and pretentious, for example one states: 

 

And as you remark, if it is thus, I ask emphatically whence comes this thusness?

 

Most importantly, Stephen and one of his friends Cranly, break away and have a long discussion about Stephen’s revolt against religion. Cranly is a good friend. He doesn’t necessarily try to persuade Stephen one way or another, but asks him questions that force Stephen to understand himself and his own values.

 

Cranly tells Stephen that many religious people overcome doubts of faith. He then asks Stephen, 

 

Are your doubts on that point too strong?

 

Stephen answers: 

 

I do not wish to overcome them.

 

 

The final pages are Stephen’s diary entries. Stephen has decided to escape Ireland, for the continent, and pursue his passion as a poet and writer. The second to final entry: 

Welcome, O life, I go to encounter for the millionth time the reality of experience and to forge in the smithy of my soul the uncreated conscience of my race.

 

The final entry:

 

Old father, old artificer, stand me now and ever in good stead. 

This is probably an allusion to Daedalus from Greek mythology, the father of Icarus, and master craftsman (artificer), who fashioned wings for himself and Icarus to escape imprisonment. Joyce loves allusions to Greek mythology. The entirety of Ulysses after all parallels Homer’s epic poem, Odyssey. Ulysses is the Latinized version of the name of Odysseus.

 

I wish I had read A Portrait of the Artist before Ulysses. I think I would have appreciated Ulysses more, and I certainly would have understood Joyce better.

 

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is not strictly autobiographical, or even semi-autobiographical, but the main character, Stephen Dedalus is generally accepted to be Joyce’s fictional alter ego. I also think it is not truly a prequel to Ulysses. Stephen does appear in both novels, but he is not the central figure of Ulysses, whereas he is the only primary character in A Portrait of the Artist.

 

Finally, and probably the main reason I liked it better than Ulysses, A Portrait of the Artist is not written in stream of consciousness. It is narrated mostly in free indirect speech. They are similar, but I find the latter much easier to follow, and much more enjoyable. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is also considerably shorter.

 

Excerpts:

 

Christmas vacation was very far away: but one time it would come because the earth moved round always. ~ school boy Stephen

 

When you kick out for yourself, Stephen…as I daresay you will one of these days…remember, whatever you do, to mix with gentlemen. When I was a young fellow I tell you I enjoyed myself. I mixed with fine decent fellows. Everyone of us could do something. One fellow had a good voice, another fellow was a good actor, another could sing a good comic song, another was a good oarsman or a good racket player, another could tell a good story and so on. We kept the ball rolling anyhow and enjoyed ourselves and saw a bit of life and we were none the worse of it either. But we were all gentlemen, Stephen…at least I hope we were…and bloody good honest Irishmen too. ~ advice from Stephen’s father

 

Disheartened, he raised his eyes towards the slow-drifting clouds, dappled and seaborne. They were voyaging across the deserts of the sky, a host of nomads on the march, voyaging high over Ireland, westward bound. The Europe they had come from lay out there beyond the Irish Sea, Europe of strange tongues and valleyed and woodbegirt and citadelled and of entrenched and marshalled races. He heard a confused music within him as of memories and names which he was almost conscious of but could not capture even for an instant; then the music seemed to recede, to recede, to recede, and from each receding trail of nebulous music there fell always one longdrawn calling note, piercing like a star the dusk of silence, Again! Again! Again! A voice from beyond the world was calling. ~ Stephen’s thoughts

 

She was alone and still, gazing out to sea; and when she felt his presence and the worship of his eyes her eyes turned to him in quiet sufferance of his gaze, without shame or wantonness. Long, long she suffered his gaze and then quietly withdrew her eyes from his and bent them towards the stream, gently stirring the water with her foot hither and thither. The first faint noise of gently moving water broke the silence, low and faint and whispering, faint as the bells of sleep; hither and thither, hither and thither; and a faint flame trembled on her cheek. ~ Stephen’s thoughts of a young girl he was watching by the seashore

 

There is an art in lighting a fire. We have the liberal arts and we have the useful arts. This is one of the useful arts. ~ One of Stephen’s teacher priests

 

…the true and the beautiful are akin. Truth is beheld by the intellect which is appeased by the most satisfying relations of the intelligible; beauty is beheld by the imagination which is appeased by the most satisfying relations of the sensible. ~ Stephen

 

Look at him!...Look at Ireland’s hope! ~ A university friend, referring to Stephen

 

I tried to love God…It seems now I failed. It is very difficult. I tried to unite my will with the will of God instant by instant. In that I did not always fail. I could perhaps do that still. ~ Stephen

 

Whatever else is unsure in this stinking dunghill of a world a mother’s love is not. ~ Cranly

 

References to other Great Novels:

 

Teen Stephen reads The Count of Monte Cristo

 

Stephen and school mates debate whether Victor Hugo is the greatest French writer.

 

Stephen mentions Dante Alighieri in a journal entry.

 

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