The events Dreiser describes happen at different moments in time; however, they’re still in chronological order. The events show how his views regarding his brother Paul change over time. They also map the evolution of Paul’s mental breakdown. In the beginning of the story, Paul is described as young, hopeful, and resilient. As he grows, a little bit of his cheerful disposition gets chipped away with each event Dreiser describes. Ultimately, he loses most of his earnings, sinks into depression, and dies at his sister’s house.
