Theodore Dreiser discussion

Discussion of The Bulwark, Dreiser's novel of a Quaker family in New Jersey in the early 1900s. It took him many years to complete this novel, with multiple changes in publishers and people assisting him in editing. There is a distinct change in the narrative halfway through, but I still find it an interesting read. As in his other books, Dreiser is applying the changing influences of early 20th Century society on a character, but in this case a Quaker so that the contrast with the older, traditional religious influences is more apparent. As you learn more about Dreiser's own development and change in thinking, you can see the transition in this book and can identify when he likely wrote different parts.