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Revision of the Manuscript
Dreiser did not use the typewriter in composition.[29] He wrote in ink, the lines of legible words evenly spaced on white paper. Multiple revisions, by himself and by others, were part of his method, stemming, perhaps, from the practice learned in journalism of turning over one's writing to be reworked by an assistant city editor.[30] Comparison of the manuscript or holograph copy of The "Genius" with the typescript in Boxes 162 (84) and 163 (85) and, when necessary, in Boxes 160 and 161 (87) reveals a large number of changes. On the holograph and also the "First Typed Copy," the title appears without
Many variants in the typescript resulted from errors, omissions, or alterations by the typist.[32] One of the most pervasive variants in the typescript is the alteration of Dreiser's paragraphing in the holograph, either by dividing a single paragraph into two or more or by combining separate paragraphs into one.[33] In addition to the misspelling of "all right," the typist introduced the incorrect "Strathmeyer" for "Shottmeyer" and "Smith" for "Smite."[34] The order of items in a series is sometimes transposed in the typescript, words and phrases omitted, punctuation replaced.[35] Such changes are usually of minor significance; but in instances in which the altered passage was not excised in subsequent revision, the original form is well-nigh always restored in the published version.
Weightier changes also appear in the typescript, however, as a result either of Dreiser's penciled revisions in the holograph or of his supposed revisions of the 1911 typescript (see Elias, "Bibliography": 30-34). A striking instance of such revision occurs in Chapter 34 of the typescript and of the holograph (Book 2, Chapter 3, of the published text). The typescript incorporates material penciled by Dreiser on the holograph concerning the relationship of the newly married Witla and Angela—namely, the expression of his worry and of her dissatisfaction over Witla's not having informed his family and friends of the wedding. In Chapter 40 (Book 2, Chapter 9), the typescript omits Eugene's contemptuous thoughts about Angela's knowing little outside conventional rules, a passage which Dreiser had marked for deletion on the holograph. The typescript omits from Chapter 43 (Book 3,
More salient than the discrepancies between typescript and holograph, however, is what they hold in common, in particular the happy ending of Witla's story. For one thing, they present Witla's personal acceptance of Christian Science and the spiritual nature of reality. For another, remaining haunted by the image of Suzanne, herself still deeply affected, Witla at first resents her for having abandoned him in the climax of passion. Later, as his practice of art distracts him from bitter feelings, he writes to Suzanne to explain his altered view of life, his recognition of his selfishness, and his realization that desire is not everything. He also asks that she either return or destroy his letters. Subsequently, they meet on Fifth Avenue at Thirty-Fourth Street. Smiling but aloof, Witla "had himself well in hand." As they part, he aches a little; Suzanne is left wondering about his feeling for her. A month afterward, she visits his studio in Montclair, where "unregenerate, love-tortured" Witla asks, "'You love me then?'" "'Ah, yes! yes! yes!'" Suzanne replies, and "with that old time cry that brought back a lost paradise to him she yielded herself to his eager . . . arms."[36] Witla and Suzanne marry six months later and achieve unity also of soul ("L'Envoi"). His interest in idealism has become part of his pursuit of beauty. Life for him "was no longer the thing it had once seemed. It was calmer, sweeter. 'There is a ruling power,' he said. 'It rules all—is all, and it is not malicious.'"
Comparison of typescript and holograph yields information on a further matter. In letters, Dreiser mentioned his deficiency in knowledge of grammar and syntax. To May Calvert Baker, a former teacher, he wrote on 15 February 1917: "Do you recall that I couldn't learn grammar? I don't know a
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