Theodore Dreiser - Sister Carrie: "In order to have wisdom we must have ignorance"

The life of Theodore Dreiser, born in 1871 in Indiana, showcases his evolution from a journalist to a prominent novelist. His early literary aspirations led to the controversial publication of "Sister Carrie," which initially struggled in sales but later gained acclaim as a seminal urban novel. Dreiser's exploration of ambition and social issues culminated in his success with "An American Tragedy." As he became politically active, he shifted from Catholicism to atheism and socialism, ultimately joining the Communist Party. He passed away in 1945, leaving a significant literary and political legacy.