A Book About Myself
Oct 2021 · Otbebookpublishing
Ebook
522
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About this ebook
Excerpt: "During the year 1890 I had been formulating my first dim notion as to what it was I wanted to do in life. For two years and more I had been reading Eugene Field's "Sharps and Flats," a column he wrote daily for the Chicago Daily News, and through this, the various phases of life which he suggested in a humorous though at times romantic way, I was beginning to suspect, vaguely at first, that I wanted to write, possibly something like that. Nothing else that I had so far read—novels, plays, poems, histories—gave me quite the same feeling for constructive thought as did the matter of his daily notes, poems, and aphorisms, which were of Chicago principally, whereas nearly all others dealt with foreign scenes and people. But this comment on local life here and now, these trenchant bits on local street scenes, institutions, characters, functions, all moved me as nothing hitherto had. To me Chicago at this time seethed with a peculiarly human or realistic atmosphere. It is given to some cities, as to some lands, to suggest romance, and to me Chicago did that hourly. It sang, I thought, and in spite of what I deemed my various troubles—small enough as I now see them—I was singing with it. These seemingly drear neighborhoods through which I walked each day, doing collecting for an easy-payment furniture company, these ponderous regions of large homes where new-wealthy packers and manufacturers dwelt, these curiously foreign neighborhoods of almost all nationalities; and, lastly, that great downtown area, surrounded on two sides by the river, on the east by the lake, and on the south by railroad yards and stations, the whole set with these new tall buildings, the wonder of the western world, fascinated me. Chicago was so young, so blithe, so new, I thought. Florence in its best days must have been something like this to young Florentines, or Venice to the young Venetians."
About the author
Theodore Dreiser (1871-1945) stands as a towering figure in American literature, renowned for his unflinching portrayal of the human condition and the stark realities of American life. Born into poverty in Terre Haute, Indiana, Dreiser's early experiences of hardship and struggle profoundly shaped his worldview and literary voice. His works often delve into themes of ambition, desire, and the relentless pursuit of success, reflecting the socio-economic turbulence of the Gilded Age and the early 20th century.Dreiser's literary journey was marked by controversy and censorship, particularly with his novel "Sister Carrie," which faced significant backlash for its candid depiction of a woman's rise to success through morally ambiguous means. Despite initial resistance, the novel eventually gained recognition for its groundbreaking realism and complex characterizations.A pioneer of naturalism, Dreiser's influence extended to contemporary writers like Sinclair Lewis and John Steinbeck, who admired his commitment to depicting life's harsh truths without romanticization. His works challenged the prevailing moral norms and highlighted the often-brutal forces of capitalism and industrialization.Dreiser was also a vocal advocate for social justice, aligning himself with progressive causes and critiquing the inequities of American society. His fearless exploration of taboo subjects and his dedication to social realism cemented his legacy as a revolutionary literary figure who dared to confront the uncomfortable truths of his time.
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