Abstract This thesis introduces the reflection of Clyde’s tragedy by explaining the loss of morality and lack of his right of democracy. The author discloses the causes which resulted in Clyde’s tragedy politically, economically and culturally. Things like the expansion of the wealth gap, the influence of materialism and young generations’ strong desire for decayed lifestyles indicate Clyde’s tragedy. In addition, the transition of connotation of American dream, the desire for materialism and leading a life of pleasure and the submerging of Clyde’s moral bottom line all resulted in Clyde’s tragedy.54294

As a conclusion, Clyde’s tragedy is both the tragedy of an inpidual and the tragedy of the whole American society. 

Keywords: tragedy; reflections; causes; enlightenment 

摘要本文从克莱德的堕落和民主权利的丧失等方面介绍了文中他的悲剧性的具体体现。作者分别从政治，经济，文化三方面分析了造成克莱德的悲剧之原因。美国社会贫富差距的扩大，物质主义的影响，以及年轻人对腐朽的生活方式的憧憬都预示着主人公悲剧的发生。此外，美国梦内涵的转变，对享乐和占有的渴望，克莱德道德底线的沦陷都造成了克莱德的悲剧。

综上所述，克莱德的悲剧不仅仅是自身的悲剧，更是美国社会的悲剧。

毕业论文关键词：悲剧；体现；原因； 启示

Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. Literature Review 1

2.1 Domestic Studies on An American Tragedy 1

2.2 Studies on An American Tragedy Abroad……………………………..2

3. Reflections of Clyde’s tragedy in the book 3

3.1 Loss of Morality 3

3.2 Lack of Enjoyment of Democracy 4

4. Causes of Clyde’s Tragedy 5

4.1 Political Causes 5

4.2 Economic Causes..7

4.3 Cultural Causes 8

5. Conclusion 9

Works Cited 12

 1. Introduction

 Theodore Dreiser (1871-1945) was born of a large immigrant family. But it was as a novelist that he demonstrated his talents and made great progress in American literature. Many people called Dreiser the wheelhouse of American naturalism and chief spokesman for the realistic novel, as he introduces into American literature a novelty of material attitude and method. Robert Spiller had Dreiser’s naturalism coincide with America’s second literary renaissance. Dreiser is one of the most prestigious American writers, whose works are worth reading. He has expended much care and thought on An American Tragedy and it was this novel that brought him the highest reputation. 

An American Tragedy relates, in great detail, the life of Clyde Griffiths from 12 to his execution at about 25. Clyde, the son of poor religious wandering preachers, wants to escape from the despair of poverty and rigidity of a preaching life. During the course of his pursuit for luxury life, he did lots of immoral things, which finally sent him to death. 

The whole life of Clyde is a big tragedy. In this novel, the author focuses her concentrations on things like what is Clyde’s tragedy, what caused Clyde’s tragedy and what can readers learn from Clyde’s tragedy. According to the author’s writing purpose, she will organize her essay in the following train of thought. First, the author will analyze the tragedy of Clyde. The first part describes Clyde’s loss of morality and the second part describes Clyde’s lack of enjoyment of his right of democracy. All this two part focuses on the reflections of the Clyde’s tragedy. Second, the author will concentrate her essay on the causes of Clyde’s tragedy. And this section consists of three parts which contains political, economic and cultural causes. At last, the author will present the enlightenments she got from this novel.源'自:吹冰`!论~文'网www.chuibin.com