The "Genius"

"The 'Genius'" by Theodore Dreiser is a narrative set in late 19th-century America, focusing on the life of Eugene Witla, a young artist with big dreams growing up in the small town of Alexandria, Illinois. The novel explores Eugene's internal conflict between his artistic passions and the conventional expectations of his family and society. We’re shown Eugene's upbringing, the impact of his family relationships, and his yearning for a life beyond his small-town existence. His early romantic interests, like his affection for Stella Appleton, highlight his developing sense of self and hints at the emotional complexities that fuel his art, setting the stage for him to eventually confront the challenges of ambition, love, and discovering who he is in a world that doesn't always understand his creative spirit.