Theodore Dreiser

An item at American Writers Museum

Theodore Dreiser exposed the harsh realities of modern life. His style of writing, termed naturalism, showed the impact of inescapable forces like urbanization, prejudice, consumerism, sexism, and industrialization. Sister Carrie (1900) follows an ambitious young woman from farm to stardom on Broadway, true happiness eluding her at every turn. Clyde Griffiths of An American Tragedy (1925) finds himself trapped in a series of disastrous scenarios.

Dreiser wrote in many genres in addition to novels. He began his career as a newspaper reporter and magazine editor, writing poems and short stories in his downtime. He ultimately published several story and poetry collections, as well as travel writing, plays, memoirs, essay collections, and more.

AMERICAN VOICES

An exhibit at American Writers Museum

American writing is distinctive, diverse, and comes in many forms from across the nation. The 100 authors featured here represent the evolution of American writing. Learn more about each writer on the timeline by turning the panels below their portraits. Explore centuries of writing by pulling, turning, and touching the interactive elements on the counter.

This is not meant to be a list of the greatest or most influential writers. Instead, we present authors and works as part of the American story as it grows and changes. Taken together, this rich literary heritage reflects America in all of its complexity: its energy, hope, conflict, disillusionment, and creativity.

American Writers Museum