An American Tragedy

Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century industrial America, the novel explores the moral decay and social struggles of a young Midwesterner named Clyde. Torn between his puritan upbringing and a desire for freedom, he navigates a life filled with ambition, love, and desperation. After a tragic accident forces him to flee, Clyde's entanglement with a pregnant farmgirl and a wealthy socialite leads him to confront his choices and the consequences of his actions. This enduring classic remains a poignant critique of society's darker aspects.