Old Rogaum and His Theresa

"Old Rogaum and His Theresa" is a short story written by Theodore Dreiser. It was originally published in Reedy's Mirror on December 12, 1901 under the title of "Butcher Rogaum's Door." It subsequently appeared in the 1918 volume Free and Other Stories. With this short story, Dreiser begins to move from allegory to realism dealing with issues including sexual behavior, city life, immigrant struggles, and the conflicts between children and their parents. Rogaum is a German immigrant running a butcher shop in lower Manhattan, New York City. His daughter, Theresa, is almost eighteen. Attracted to the city lights and life she has taken to spending her time with her friend Myrtle. They secretly spend it with two boys, Connie and George, who are considered womanizers. Every night Rogaum calls Theresa home and reprimands her for being out so late. She stays out later each night and Rogaum threatens to lock her out. One night he does, and refuses to let her in, intending to teach her a lesson.