Theodore Dreiser was a revolutionary writer whose novels structured modern American fiction. He successfully showcased the real picture of American society and exposed the false American Dream. He served realism that struck hard the accepted rules of conduct and portrayed life as was perceived. Average American life was shown dominated by materialism and gradually capitalism stagnated the soul of the underprivileged class that felt suffocated with the passage of time and struggled hard to survive. Even ethical conduct was difficult to maintain in such circumstances and social structure virtually collapsed. Family bonds could not sustain and life primarily focussed on achieving economic stability. Miserable souls were in depleted condition and in pursuit of material gains the society was deprived of any class. Anything was equally attainable but compromises in disguise of self-sacrifice became a common feature to rise. Relations were more commercial and sentiments found no room to survive. Deviation from absolute purity and maligned morality developed a split attitude in an average American. Such hard facts of life revealed by Dreiser shook the American system and this was assumed as a shift from traditional genteel literature.

Keywords: American Fiction, American Society, American Dream, Realism, Underprivileged Class.

________________