Eros and Thanatos in Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy

Abstract

Theodore Dreiser is a renowned American journalist and novelist who is closely associated with the Naturalism literary movement. His works reflect the socio-economic challenges of his time, portraying characters who wrestle with inner conflicts, unconscious desires, and moral dilemmas evocative of Freudian ideas. Dreiser's exploration of his characters' psychological complexities underscores the influence of innate biological drives, like libido and aggressive instincts, in shaping and understanding human nature and actions. This study deals with the interplay between Eros and Thanatos, as theorized by Sigmund Freud, in Theodore Dreiser's novel "An American Tragedy"(1925). Based on Freud's theory of life and death instincts, the analysis investigates the protagonist, Clyde Griffiths' psyche and his turbulent journey towards self-destruction. Eros, symbolizing the life instinct, is evident in Clyde's pursuit of desires, mainly his yearning for wealth, social advancement and love