"American Episode" is one of the key works of the American writer William Dean Howells, in which he highlights social problems and the psychology of the characters. The novel tells about a young couple who are looking for happiness in the Big City, but face the harsh realities of life. The author reveals the internal conflicts of the heroes in the context of social and moral problems of his time. "American episode" is a characteristic of American society of the 19th century, elevated by the author to inspired art.