Twelve Men

"Twelve Men" by Theodore Dreiser is a series of character studies that highlights unique perspectives of individuals in the early 1900s, most notably through a man named Peter. In these observations, there are overarching ideas about how people create art, their connections with the world, and even the meaning of life itself. Peter is introduced as someone with a keen interest in the world, full of life, who sees beauty and strangeness, a man who can't be controlled. Dreiser, as the narrator, makes friends with Peter in St. Louis, sharing laughs, companionship, and exploring what it means to be human. Peter becomes a guide, leading the way to understand the many layers of art, relationships, and what life throws our way.