The Cambridge Companion to Theodore Dreiser [Paperback]

This Companion is the most comprehensive introduction to Dreiser's work available.The specially commissioned essays collected in this volume establish new parameters for both scholarly and classroom discussion of Dreiser. This Companion provides fresh perspectives on the frequently read classics, Sister Carrie and An American Tragedy, as well as on topics of perennial interest, such as Dreiser's representation of the city and his prose style. The volume investigates topics such as his representation of masculinity and femininity, and his treatment of ethnicity. It is the most comprehensive introduction to Dreiser's work available.The specially commissioned essays collected in this volume establish new parameters for both scholarly and classroom discussion of Dreiser. This Companion provides fresh perspectives on the frequently read classics, Sister Carrie and An American Tragedy, as well as on topics of perennial interest, such as Dreiser's representation of the city and his prose style. The volume investigates topics such as his representation of masculinity and femininity, and his treatment of ethnicity. It is the most comprehensive introduction to Dreiser's work available.This Companion provides fresh perspectives on the frequently read Dreiser classics, Sister Carrie and An American Tragedy, as well as on topics of perennial interest, which include Dreiser's representation of the city and his prose style. The volume investigates his representation of masculinity and femininity, and his treatment of ethnicity, among other topics.Introduction; Chronology; Part I. Background and Contexts: 1. Dreiser and the profession of authorship James L. W. West III; 2. Dreiser and the uses of biography Thomas P. Riggio; 3. Dreiser's style Paul Giles; 4. Dreiser and the history of American longing Jackson Lears; Part II. Dreiser and his Culture: 5. The matter of Dreiser's modernity Bill Brown; 6. Dreiser, class, and the home Catherine Jurca; 7. Dreiser and the ideology of upwardls˜