Dreiser, "Financier". A novel about big money and big opportunities

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

On account of the writer Theodore Dreiser a lot of great books. He colorfully and picturesquely described the life of America in the late XIX - early XX century. He perfectly managed to convey the mood that prevailed then in society. The most famous cycles of his works are "American Tragedy" and "Trilogy of Desire".

Main character

The writer begins the "Trilogy of Desire" with a description of the hero's childhood and youth. It should be noted with what love Dreiser outlines his character. He turned out to be an energetic, enterprising and smart financier. He combined all the qualities necessary for the realization of the most daring ideas. At the same time, the central character also had negative qualities, such as vanity, pride, which he did not fail to use to achieve his goals. His conscience allowed to steal, deceive and substitute. In addition, having a pleasant appearance, he attracted people, and especially women. And it is they who will ultimately lead to his death.

Plot

The novel takes place in Philadelphia. A smart boy was born in a large family who learned how to earntheir first commissions at the docks, waiting hours for the cargo ships to arrive. Then, as a teenager, he tripled in the bread office as an assistant. He won over the owner of this enterprise and was able to win his trust. After the untimely death of his boss, Frank Cowperwood inherited the business.

Storyline

Deciding that trading in cargo is not as profitable as we would like, Frank began to play on the stock exchange and very soon became a successful broker. The deviations from the main story that Theodore Dreiser makes are also interesting. "The Financier" not only tells the story of the hero, he also describes the basics of the financial system of the United States of America, the work of the stock exchange, stock transactions and much more.

Central conflict

Quickly realizing that his financial talents and ability to charm people will help him achieve what he wants, Cowperwood buys shares in the horse car and establishes a monopoly on his site. He has to compete with well-known business tycoons, ingratiate himself with them and use their connections.

However, when a fire breaks out on the Chicago Stock Exchange in 1871, people in a panic try to sell all their shares, which devalues them. Thus, Frank Cowperwood finds himself in a difficult position. Shortly before these events, he took half a million dollars from the city on the security of his shares and managed to invest this money in the enterprise. He is jailed for embezzlement.four years. But a man who wanted to take revenge on Frank secretly participated in the formation of the charge and sentencing.

Hero's personal life

At the age of twenty-one, a young and in love with life young man married Lillian. She was older than him and seemed an unattainable deity. Two children were born from this marriage, but the couple quickly lost interest in each other, because Frank's thirst for life and indefatigable activity did not combine with the languor, grace and slowness of his wife. Both understood this and did not insist on the continuation of joint torment. Cowperwood paid money for the maintenance of children regularly, saw them and helped in every way he could. In this respect, he showed himself as a good father, as far as it was possible. Perhaps this is exactly what Dreiser wanted. The novel "The Financier" simultaneously showed a tough businessman and a rake in love, who was ready for madness for the sake of his beloved.

In the winter of 1871, at a dinner with one of the "founding fathers" of the city - Mr. Butler, Frank notices his seventeen-year-old daughter Eileen. They begin to secretly meet, as the girl's father would not approve of such behavior. This passion and mystery has led Butler to hire a detective to follow his daughter, only to discover a nasty surprise.

Just at this moment, the stock market fire provides an opportunity for the offended parent to take his revenge and put the abuser and molester in jail. But he did not take into account that the daughter also had her own opinion on this matter and categorically did not want to give up her beloved. She wore gear for him, petitioned for improvementregime and early release. Satisfaction of her requests became possible only after Butler's death a little more than a year later.

Final transition

The end of this story has not yet been set. The plot twisted rapidly and events rained down on the characters, as Dreiser wanted. The financier was not supposed to live happily ever after. As soon as he got out of prison, he took advantage of the new panic in the stock market and bought railroad shares. This made the former criminal, yesterday's prisoner, a rich and powerful man. His wife gave him the desired official divorce, and the lovers left for Chicago, where a new life awaited them.

The main idea that Theodore Dreiser wanted to convey to the reader: a financier puts his dreams and goals above all else, only in this case everything works out. Of course, this cannot be called the correct life creed for readers, but such a position is very characteristic of American citizens of that period.

Criticism

This work, like others, found its reader. Dreiser, whose "Financier" was supplemented by two more books, was able not only to earn money from his work, but also to attract critics. They were kind to him, as they always were. We do not know which person Dreiser chose as a prototype for his hero. The financier, whose reviews were very flattering, turned out to be a colorful character, repulsive and attractive at the same time.

If you want to join the culture of the USA during the Civil War, then you can safely pick up thisnovel. Using his undeniable talent, Dreiser, whose "Financier" quickly won a place under the literary sun, was able to lure the reader into a world of numbers, money and constant struggle.