An American Tragedy · Chapter
XXXVIII explained
Roberta and Clyde grapple with the aftermath of the doctor's refusal to help terminate her pregnancy.
What happens
Roberta and Clyde grapple with the aftermath of the doctor's refusal to help terminate her pregnancy. Roberta pressures Clyde to marry her, but Clyde, terrified of losing his position and his chance with Sondra, resists. He frantically searches for alternative solutions while Roberta grows increasingly desperate and accusatory.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Ambition
Clyde's refusal to marry Roberta is driven by his fear of losing his position in Lycurgus society and his chance to marry into the wealthy Finchley family.
Seduction and Betrayal
Clyde's seduction of Roberta leads to her pregnancy, and he now betrays her by refusing to take responsibility, prioritizing his own ambitions.
The Female Body and Control
Roberta's body is the site of crisis; she has no control over her pregnancy and must rely on Clyde and illegal medical help, highlighting her lack of autonomy.
Characters to notice
- Clyde Griffiths
Panicked and evasive, Clyde refuses Roberta's marriage proposal, fearing the loss of his social ambitions and his relationship with Sondra.
- Roberta Alden
Desperate and determined, Roberta insists Clyde must help her, either by finding an abortion or by marrying her, accusing him of being swayed by society people.
- Sondra Finchley
Referenced by Roberta as a possible cause of Clyde's changed affections, though Clyde denies it.
- Bertine Cranston
Mentioned by Roberta as another society girl who might be drawing Clyde away.
- Thomas Ratterer
Clyde writes to him for advice but receives no reply, as Ratterer has moved to Florida.
Key passages
“Oh, yes, that’s all right for you, Bert. That fixes everything up for you, but how about me? Why, gee whiz, I’ve only got started here now as it is, and if I have to pack up and get out, and I would have to, if ever they found out about this, why I don’t know what I’d do.”
Clyde argues that marriage would ruin his career and social standing, since his uncle would fire him if the affair were discovered.
Clyde prioritizes his own future over Roberta's plight.
“I don’t ask you to marry me forever... You can leave me after a while if you want to. After I’m out of this.”
Roberta offers a temporary marriage just to get through the pregnancy, hoping Clyde might eventually change his feelings.
Roberta's desperation leads her to propose a conditional marriage.
“Who is it? What is it? Some other girl, or what, I’d like to know—that Sondra Finchley or Bertine Cranston, or who?”
Roberta directly accuses Clyde of being influenced by the society girls he spends time with, specifically naming Sondra and Bertine.
Roberta's suspicion of Sondra is correct, though Clyde denies it.