# Chapter XII explained — An American Tragedy

> Chapter companion for An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser.

## What happens

Clyde's first date with Hortense Briggs reveals his intense infatuation and her manipulative, self-centered nature. He is captivated by her beauty and flirtatious manner, while she toys with his emotions, making him jealous and using him for gifts and attention. The chapter explores Clyde's yearning for a pretty girl and his insecurity about holding her interest.

## Themes in this chapter

### Seduction and Betrayal

Hortense deliberately manipulates Clyde's emotions, using her charm and flirtation to secure his attention and gifts while planning to pursue other men.

### Social Class and Ambition

Clyde's desire to impress Hortense with his clothes and spending reflects his ambition to rise socially and be seen as worthy of a pretty, fashionable girl.

## Character check-ins

### Clyde Griffiths

Deeply infatuated with Hortense, he dresses elaborately for their date and feels both thrilled and tormented by her teasing and flirtatious behavior.

### Hortense Briggs

Manipulative and self-absorbed, she keeps Clyde waiting, mentions other suitors to make him jealous, and accepts his gifts while planning to use him for his money.

### Thomas Ratterer

Mentioned as a coworker who is not at the hotel after six, referenced by Hortense when she explains her delay.

### Oscar Hegglund

Referenced as a friend who advised Clyde that women like men who do things for them.

### Wallace Trone

Mentioned by Hortense as a funny and gifted young man who entertained at a party she attended.

## Key lines

> Up to this time he had never seen a girl with so much charm who would deign to look at him, or so he imagined.

Clyde felt that no girl as charming as Hortense had ever noticed him before.

_Highlights Clyde's inexperience and idealization of Hortense._

> And the thought of making him jealous was a delight to her. She realized that he was very much smitten with her.

Hortense enjoyed provoking Clyde's jealousy because she knew he was infatuated with her.

_Reveals Hortense's manipulative nature and her pleasure in controlling Clyde._

> It was torture, and yet a sweet kind of torture. He was full of the most tantalizing thoughts about how wonderful it would be if only he were permitted to hold her close, kiss her mouth, bite her, even.

Clyde found his attraction to Hortense both painful and thrilling, fantasizing about physical intimacy.

_Illustrates Clyde's intense sexual desire and emotional vulnerability._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters/xii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_american_tragedy_se/chapters