The Dynamics of Character Development in “Jennie Gerhardt”
Keywords:
naturalism, character development, social determinism, moral decline, gender inequality, patriarchal society, emotional vulnerability, triumphAbstract
This article examines the dynamics of character development in Theodore Dreiser’s novel Jennie Gerhardt. The study focuses on the psychological, moral, and social transformation of the protagonist within the framework of American naturalism. It analyzes how Jennie’s personality is shaped not by individual freedom or personal ambition, but by poverty, social inequality, and gender constraints. The research demonstrates that Jennie’s character development is closely connected to emotional endurance and gradual psychological decline under external social pressures. The findings suggest that Dreiser presents Jennie as a symbol of human vulnerability and silent resilience in an unjust society.
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