The Great God Success: A Novel

"The Great God Success: A Novel" by David Graham Phillips is a story about a young man named Howard who just finished college at Yale and wants to become a journalist in New York City. The story follows Howard as he tries to make it in the tough world of newspapers. As Howard works to achieve his dreams, the novel considers the topics of wanting to be successful, what success really means, and what people have to give up to get it. The story begins with Howard interviewing for a job at a newspaper, and the readers can tell he is nervous and unsure of himself, but he really wants to prove that he can do the job. His conversation with the man who might hire him shows how hard it is to be a reporter. The conversation sets the scene for what Howard is about to experience in his new job and the reality of news reporting. These first chapters introduce Howard, show what he wants in life, and how he relates to other journalists, creating the mood for his journey in the newspaper business.