An American Tragedy - Nov 30-Dec 6: Part 3, Chapters 11-21

[Brian, co-moderator]

Discussion thread for Part 3, Chapters 11-21

[Michael]

I thought this was the most interesting part of the book so far. I’m trying not to give any spoilers away but here is where the weaknesses in Clyde’s plan manifest themselves. These weaknesses in his not too clever plan will come back to hurt him later.

[Brian, co-moderator]

Michael wrote: "I thought this was the most interesting part of the book so far. I’m trying not to give any spoilers away but here is where the weaknesses in Clyde’s plan manifest themselves. These weaknesses in h..."

Right? It was amazing to see the whole scheme fall apart as a result of just a few minor, but together monumental errors on Clyde's part. It should be fascinating to see how the 'upper crust' reacts to all this.

[Erika]

Dreiser's unwinding of Clyde's unwinding is amazing. As I read the opening statements, I found I was asking myself, "wait did he really do that" or "did I miss something"? He confuses the truth for me as much as it's confused for Clyde!

[Brian, co-moderator]

I'm at the part where Samuel and Gilbert have just received Smillie's and Brookhart's assessments, and Samuel is struggling with what actually happened and what to do about it, if anything.

The whole plot is on a knife's edge. There are two ways a story like this could go, that I can see anyway: Clyde rightly suffers and is punished for his crime; or he fools Samuel sufficiently to gain the benefit of his wealth, and worms his way out of it, confirming the privilege of wealth and power. I suspect the former, but I also like not knowing at this point.

[Brian, co-moderator]

Jerilyn wrote: "I finished the book ahead of schedule and am checking back for discussions about...

Hey Jerilyn! I am deleting your comment because it gives away too much with 140pp left in the book. Please don't be offended! :)

[Brian, co-moderator]

The investigation concludes and the trial begins! If the crowd assembled to watch the proceedings is any indication, things don't look very good for Clyde. And Mason has built a very thorough case.

I still find myself wondering if Clyde can escape the consequences here, not because that makes a good book (it doesn't... if there's to be a moral, he needs to go to jail and perhaps to the chair), but because this novel is based on a real-life crime in ~1906.

I could still go either way, but the first 10 days of the trial do not appear to go well for him.

[Erika]

I still can't get over his lack of remorse for anyone but himself! Even with Roberta's family just sobbing in the courtroom - his detachment is unbelievable!

[Brian, co-moderator]

Erika wrote: "I still can't get over his lack of remorse for anyone but himself! Even with Roberta's family just sobbing in the courtroom - his detachment is unbelievable!"

I think he's having a hard time with feelings of guilt - he seems to have a difficult time with the fact that the Aldens are there, and what can that be but guilt? - but it would seem Belknap and Jephson have him ALMOST convinced that he's actually innocent... tho deep down, you're right, I think: he's knows they're all lying, and he's astonished these lawyers are willing conspirators in the lie.

Clyde is chiefly concerned with his own freedom. I don't think he's felt a moment of remorse for what he did... only that he got caught.