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TL;DR: Clyde Griffiths, raised in poverty in Kansas City, dreams of wealth and status. Working at his rich uncle's factory, he has a secret affair with a poor coworker, Roberta, then falls for the glamorous heiress Sondra. When Roberta becomes pregnant, Clyde plots to get rid of her, and her drowning leads to his trial and execution.
Table of Contents
An American Tragedy at a Glance
| Author | Theodore Dreiser |
| First published | 1925 |
| Type | Novel |
| Best for | readers who want a powerful, long classic about ambition and guilt |
An American Tragedy is a novel by Theodore Dreiser, published in 1925. It is based on a real 1906 murder case and examines how social pressures shape a crime. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes a death by drowning, an unwanted pregnancy and an execution.
Main Characters
- Clyde Griffiths: An ambitious, weak young man.
- Roberta Alden: A poor factory worker Clyde seduces.
- Sondra Finchley: A wealthy, glamorous young woman.
- Samuel Griffiths: Clyde's wealthy uncle, a factory owner.
- Orville Mason: The district attorney who prosecutes Clyde.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
Kansas City
Clyde grows up poor in Kansas City, embarrassed by his family's hardship and longing for a better life. He works as a hotel bellhop and enjoys a taste of luxury. After a car accident that kills a child, he flees.
Lycurgus
Clyde meets his wealthy uncle, who gives him a job at his collar factory in Lycurgus, New York. Lonely, Clyde begins a secret affair with Roberta, a worker under his supervision.
Sondra
Clyde is invited into high society and falls in love with Sondra Finchley, who could give him wealth and status. Roberta becomes pregnant and demands that he marry her. Clyde tries to arrange an abortion, without success.
The lake
Clyde reads of a drowning and plans to take Roberta to Big Bittern Lake. In the boat, he hesitates. When she moves toward him, he accidentally hits her with his camera, the boat capsizes, and he lets her drown while he swims away.
Trial and death
Clyde is arrested. At his trial, the evidence is overwhelming, and political ambition drives the prosecution. He is convicted and sentenced to death. In prison, he is unsure whether he is truly guilty. He is executed in the electric chair.
5 Key Takeaways
- The American Dream can push people toward ruin.
- Weakness and indecision can lead to tragedy.
- Society shapes, but does not excuse, individual choices.
- The justice system can be influenced by politics.
- Desire for status can override conscience.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- Wanting more can blind us to what is right.
- Guilt is not always simple.
- The line between intention and action can be blurry.
Who Should Read An American Tragedy?
Read An American Tragedy if you enjoy long, serious classics about crime and society. It suits adults.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of An American Tragedy:
- Is Clyde guilty of murder?
- How much is society to blame?
- What does the title mean?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether An American Tragedy is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of An American Tragedy, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes, for patient readers. It is very long and detailed, but its portrait of ambition and guilt is powerful and still relevant.
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What to Read Next
- Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser: Dreiser's first novel
- Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky: a murderer's guilt and punishment
- A Place in the Sun (film) by George Stevens: the famous film adaptation
Related: Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What is An American Tragedy about?
An ambitious young man lets his pregnant girlfriend drown so he can pursue a rich woman.
Who wrote it?
Theodore Dreiser, in 1925.
Is it based on a true story?
Yes, the 1906 murder of Grace Brown by Chester Gillette.
Does Clyde intend to kill Roberta?
He plans it, but the drowning happens partly by accident.
What happens to Clyde?
He is executed in the electric chair.
What age is it for?
Adults.
How long is it?
About 850 pages.
Is there a film?
Yes, A Place in the Sun (1951).
Who is Sondra Finchley?
The rich young woman Clyde wants to marry.
Why is it called a tragedy?
Because Clyde's downfall comes from his desires and society's pressures.
Where is Lycurgus?
A fictional factory town in upstate New York.
Who are the main characters in An American Tragedy?
The main characters are Clyde Griffiths, Roberta Alden, Sondra Finchley, Samuel Griffiths and Orville Mason. Clyde Griffiths: An ambitious, weak young man. Roberta Alden: A poor factory worker Clyde seduces. Sondra Finchley: A wealthy, glamorous young woman.
Is An American Tragedy worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who want a powerful, long classic about ambition and guilt. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.