Novel Essay “Financier” by Theodore Dreiser
Theodore Dreiser is one of the prominent American writers who managed to convey the life of the American society through his books and characters, which he created. His novels were characterized by a high degree of realism and the author often slipped to naturalism, which helped him to reflect the severe reality and dramatic transformations that took place in the American society at his epoch. In this respect, his novel “Financier” is particularly noteworthy because this book is the novel revealing the process of formation of American financial elite, the upper class which actually ruled the USA and which role is still very significant in the USA. At this point, the book written by Theodore Dreiser turns out to be prophetic since the author foresaw the growth in power of the upper class of financial and business elite which actually makes the policy, while all the rest of the society is like puppets in hands of powerful puppeteers. In such a way, “Financier” is the novel that mirrors dramatic social and economic changes that took place in the American society in the late 19th century and which the author observed in the real life. At the same time, the book is particularly noteworthy since the author disguises the demoralizing consequences of social and economic changes in the American society and dehumanization of the ruling elite which peruses self-satisfaction and prosperity, ignoring needs and interest of other people. Thus, the author depicts the picture of a new type of American elite, egoistic, indifferent and concerned with its own needs and desires.
First of all, it is important to dwell upon the historical background of the novel since “Financier” mirrors the basic trends Theodore Dreiser witnessed in the real life of the USA at the epoch. In fact, the 19th century, especially its second half was the epoch of the rapid industrialization of the USA, especially its Northern states. The industrialization had brought a tremendous progress to the USA and led the country to prosperity. On the other hand, the industrialization had a number of negative social and economic effects. The process of industrialization was naturally accompanied by the urbanization of the USA. The later led to the emergence of new problems, such as growing unemployment and crimes, which definitely contrasted to the unparalleled prosperity of the upper class of the USA. The gap between the rich and the poor had grown wider. In such a situation, the American society had started to undergo dramatic changes, when traditional values and traditions fade away, giving the way to new values and traditions. The common trend, which became mainstream at the epoch of industrialization, was the pursuit of wealth, which was closely associated with an individual’s happiness. In such a way, it is possible to speak about a dramatic shift from traditional society of colonial America to the new society of the industrialized, new and independent country.
In this respect, the main character of the novel Frank Cowperwood is a symbol of the new elite, new ruling class which represents the future of the USA since it is people like Frank Cowperwood who will rule the country and substitute traditional elite which lives its last days. Thus, the author depicts the conflict between the old and new elite of the USA, which represent the upper class of the American society. The old elite is represented by Mollenhauer, Butler, and others, while the new elite is represented by Frank Cowperwood, whose ideas and lifestyle is challenging to the traditional ideas and lifestyle, but which is apparently progressive.
The old elite lives in accordance with old traditions. Mollenhauer, Butler as well as Frank’s father and other representatives of the old elite are unable to understand Frank’s ideas and way of thinking. They are influenced by Christian ideas, traditional morale, and conservative set of values. This is why they cannot understand the frivolous lifestyle of Frank Cowperwood. The latter, in contrast, easily challenges old traditions and rules. He does not like drinking whisky and other alcohol drinks as other people get used to. He makes his business being sober and well-prepared to any complications he may face. Instead, the old elite remind a kind of a club, where people get used to make their business rather informally, while drinking whisky and taking decisions secretly.
In contrast, Cowperwood is bold but he does not like to hide from the public. He keeps his plans in secret only if it is necessary for the success of his business. He started as a soap seller, but eventually he becomes a leading financier in Philadelphia. At the beginning he was an unknown but gifted financier, but gradually he joins the Philadelphian elite and, what is more, he starts competing with representatives of the old elite. Remarkably his business develops successfully, but he views his business only as a tool to satisfy his needs and desires. He does not really care of anybody but himself. He is a representative of a new elite – he is successful and egoistic. These qualities characterized perfectly well the new elite Dreiser observed in the real life since, in the epoch of industrialization, many new, young people grew fabulously rich in a short period of time, but they neglected old traditions and norms. They ignore traditional Christian and family values. Instead, they, like Cowperwood, were concerned with the satisfaction of their current needs.
In such a way, the author depicts the new elite, which representatives believe to be the rulers of the universe who care nothing but their desires and needs. This is probably why Cowperwood easily breaks conventional norms of the Philadelphian society, which were common to the conservative part of the American society at large. He, being a married man, seduces Aileen and want to marry her after his divorce. In such a way, he is ready to abandon his wife and children for the sake of another woman, but, in fact, he wants to do it for himself because he likes Aileen and he gets used to take what he wants. This fact proves the demoralization of the new elite of the USA and the total change of traditional set of values.
Remarkably, Cowperwood loses his struggle but he is not defeated. In fact, he loses the battle, but not the war. The Chicago fire puts the end to his financial empire in Philadelphia. He is sent to prison, but eventually he is freed and he is going to move to Chicago with Aileen where he plans to start a new life. In such a way, the author attempts to show the struggle of the old and new elite. At first glance, the old elite wins, as Cowperwood is imprisoned, but he is not defeated. His opponents win nothing, while Cowperwood, being released from prison, is full of hopes and great expectations. Moreover, he did get what he wanted – he got Aileen, while wealth is apparently secondary to him since he is certain that he will easily gain fortune in Chicago.
In fact, even the location and setting of the novel is quite symbolic since Dreiser shows the great shift in the American social and economic life. He shows that Northern states (Chicago) of the USA are more prospective, while the South (Philadelphia) does not have a great future. This is why the new generation of financiers, the new elite moves northward where it has larger opportunities to outpace the old and degrading elite which stays immobile in South, which social and economic life starts stagnating.
Thus, taking into account all above mentioned, it is possible to conclude that Theodore Dreiser perfectly mirrors basic trends in the American life at the epoch of industrialization. He shows the formation of a new, ruling elite which apparently outpaces the old one. At the same time, he warns readers that the new elite is dangerous because it is too egoistic and too concerned on its own self, while old traditions and values fade away. Hence, the author depicts a dramatic shift which has changed the American society forever and which has laid the foundation to the modern American society.
Works Cited:
- Beaugrande, Robert de. "Surprised by Syncretism: Cognition and Literary Criticism Exemplified by E. D. Hirsch, Stanley Fish, and J. Hillis Miller." Poetics 12 (1983): 83-137.
- Bennett, Lerone. Before the Mayflower. Johnson Publishing Company, 1982.
- Damrosch, David. What Is World Literature? Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2003.
- Dreiser, T. Financier. New York: Penguin Classics, 2002.
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