An American Tragedy

There are many aspects of Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy that involve the moral decision versus the immoral decision and God. The main theme that Dreiser maintains throughout the novel is Immorality. Each character in the novel possesses one or more characteristics that show that he or she is partially immoral. When combined, all these elements have a strong message, that there is consequence to straying from God's path.

Clyde Griffiths is the perfect example of how a person is led from God's light. At the beginning of the novel, his character is the son of poor missionary parents. The family spends its' time on street corners, singing church hymns, and reading verses from the Bible. Soon, however, we begin to see the growth of Clyde's free will, and natural curiosity. He begins to explore the world, out of the view of his parents. Soon he realizes the corruption that exists, and falls victim to it, through he does not realize it.

Clyde and his acquaintances explore the possibilities of girls, and drinking alcohol. Eventually, these people steal a car, and Clyde runs away to keep himself from being apprehended by the police. His entire life has been changed because he has made a few bad decisions. …