Which social problems of industrializing America did Theodore Dreiser explore in his novels?

Theodore Dreiser, a leading figure in American naturalism, used his novels to provide an unflinching examination of the social challenges emerging in a rapidly industrializing America. His work moved away from Victorian notions of propriety to present a realistic, often gritty, view of urban life and the human condition.123

Key social problems and themes explored in his novels include:

• Materialism and the American Dream: Dreiser frequently critiqued the relentless pursuit of worldly success and the moral compromises it demanded. Works like An American Tragedy and The Bulwark serve as searing indictments of how materialism can overshadow spiritual fulfillment and lead to personal ruin.345
• Social Inequality and Power Dynamics: Influenced by the belief that the battle of life goes to the strong, his "business novels," such as The Financier and The Titan, document the amoral tactics of monopolistic tycoons and the harsh realities of high finance.32
• Repressive Moral Conventions: His characters often struggle against narrow, rigid social and religious standards, particularly regarding sexual morality, as seen in Sister Carrie and Jennie Gerhardt.34
• Urban Disillusionment: He captured the vagaries of city life, depicting individuals who, driven by vague ambitions, often find themselves overwhelmed by their environment and circumstance.34