An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser follows Clyde Griffiths, a young man from a poor, religious family who dreams of wealth and social status. After working in a factory owned by his wealthy uncle, Clyde becomes romantically involved with two women: Roberta, a poor factory worker, and Sondra, a glamorous socialite. When Roberta becomes pregnant and pressures him to marry her, Clyde sees her as an obstacle to his ambitions. Tempted by a chance to be with Sondra, he plots to kill Roberta during a boating trip. Roberta dies in an "accident" Clyde stages, but evidence points to murder. Clyde is arrested, tried, and ultimately executed, his downfall symbolizing the dark side of the American Dream.