1. As Mr. Dreiser is considered by many critics the novelist of biggest
stature as yet produced by America, the nature and sources of his
strength and of his weakness deserve careful analysis. Observe (1) that
his attitude toward life and his general method derive from Zola; (2)
that his materials are drawn from his extensive and varied experience as
a journalist; (3) that these two facts are exemplified in brief in his
biographical studies, _Twelve Men_, which are "human documents."
2. Note the dates of _Sister Carrie_ and of _Jennie Gerhardt_, and work
out Dreiser's loss and gain during the long period of silence between
them.
3. _Hey, Rub-a-Dub-Dub_ (cf. _Nation_, 109 ['19]: 278) should be read by
every student of Dreiser, for its revelation of his attitude toward
humanity, which contributes largely to the greatness of his work, and of
his failure to think out a point of view, which is a fundamental
weakness. Note his admission: "I am one of those curious persons who
cannot make up their minds about anything."