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【Abstract】Theodore Dreiser is a great realistic and naturalistic novelist in the world. His masterpiece An American Tragedy is regarded as one of the most representative naturalistic novels. It describes the degeneration of an American young man， which has direct relation with American society. This article aims at analyzing the naturalistic features of the novel.
【Key words】Theodore Dreiser； An American Tragedy； naturalism
Theodore Dreiser， the “wheelhouse of American Naturalism”， is a master at naturalistic novels， and his masterpiece An American Tragedy strongly proves that. This article aims at analyzing its naturalistic features from the aspects of the authenticity and objectivity in its source， narrative discourse and hero Clyde.
Firstly， the source of An American Tragedy is authentic， which is mainly based on a truly happened law case about Chester Gillette who killed his lover for money and social status. Dreiser lays great groundwork and consults many materials about this case and others alike. Factual details also add to the authenticity of the novel. For example， in Chapter 42， Clyde receives two letters respectively from Sondra and Roberta. The language in Sondra’s letter sounds artificial while that in Roberta’s is plain. The contrast makes sense as Sondra is a flirtatious and hypocritical girl who doesn’t treat her relationship with Clyde seriously while Roberta is simple and innocent who really loves Clyde. This difference accords with the difference between the characters， which demonstrates the authenticity derived from the combination of reality and artistic fiction.
Secondly， the narrative discourse is calm and naturalistic that can keep readers from guessing the attitude and emotion of the author so that they can follow the story objectively. In Chapter 42
【Key words】Theodore Dreiser； An American Tragedy； naturalism
Theodore Dreiser， the “wheelhouse of American Naturalism”， is a master at naturalistic novels， and his masterpiece An American Tragedy strongly proves that. This article aims at analyzing its naturalistic features from the aspects of the authenticity and objectivity in its source， narrative discourse and hero Clyde.
Firstly， the source of An American Tragedy is authentic， which is mainly based on a truly happened law case about Chester Gillette who killed his lover for money and social status. Dreiser lays great groundwork and consults many materials about this case and others alike. Factual details also add to the authenticity of the novel. For example， in Chapter 42， Clyde receives two letters respectively from Sondra and Roberta. The language in Sondra’s letter sounds artificial while that in Roberta’s is plain. The contrast makes sense as Sondra is a flirtatious and hypocritical girl who doesn’t treat her relationship with Clyde seriously while Roberta is simple and innocent who really loves Clyde. This difference accords with the difference between the characters， which demonstrates the authenticity derived from the combination of reality and artistic fiction.
Secondly， the narrative discourse is calm and naturalistic that can keep readers from guessing the attitude and emotion of the author so that they can follow the story objectively. In Chapter 42