Resumo de Sister Carrie - Theodore Dreiser

Sister Carrie
By Theodore Dreiser

?Sister Carrie? was Theodore Dreiser?s first novel. When he wrote it, he was unsure of its reception. He gave it to Doubleday for publication but they decided not to circulate and promote the novel after some resistance to its content from Mrs. Doubleday. The initial resistance stemmed from the novelty of the subject matter and the naturalism of the narrative style. It was with the publication of ?An American Tragedy? that Dreiser became a household name in America. He wrote many novels, stories, plays, poetry, anthropological works, a travelogue, and several non-fiction pieces for periodicals. The eight novels he wrote form the basis of his reputation as an American writer. These novels capture the essentials of American life in the opening decades of the twentieth Century. His sharp observations of the manners and mindset of people, the portrayal of conflicts between various classes and the depiction of complications that arise out of man-woman relationships make his novels relevant even today for those interested in American society and culture. ?Sister Carrie? has attained the status of a classic in American fiction.

Dreiser came from an immigrant, working class background and had very little formal education. His talent as a narrator could draw upon the resource of his first hand experience in the streets where he had seen hard days. What makes ?Sister Carrie? a compelling narrative is his defiance of prevailing literary tradition, which can only be described as ?genteel?. As an immigrant?s son who had lived in abject poverty, Dreiser could see the gulf between the mainstream tradition in American fiction and American reality. Some of the central episodes in ?Sister Carrie? are taken from his personal life. It took American society more than twenty five years to recognise and accept him as a major writer. The writing of ?Sister Carrie? results from an intellectual breakthrough on Dreiser?s part.

The novel begins with the scene of Caroline Meeber leaving for Chicago in search of better prospects in life. She makes acquaintance with a travelling salesman, Chas H. Drouet during the journey. He is a typical urban society man who believes more in appearances than in meaningful existence.

In her sister?s flat Carrie rapidly realizes the urgent need for employment. But Chicago city intimidates her with its size and complexity. She gets employment at a shoe factory which pays small wages. She loses even this job when she falls ill. In effect, circumstances drive her into the hands of Drouet. She leaves her sister?s flat to set up her own house at Drouet?s insistence. Carrie is also introduced to Hurstwood in these circumstances.

As Carrie realizes that she does not have a life with or without Drouet, she finds herself being wooed by Hurstwood who is increasingly infatuated with her, despite being a married man. Carrie is offered a role in a play, courtesy Drouet, in which her part is greatly appreciated by all. Hurstwood also watches the play and becomes even more enamoured with Carrie. He is now ready to leave his home and family for her. Carrie is made aware of Hurstwood?s marital status by Drouet, when he suspects a relationship between both of them. She is devastated and disillusioned. She tries to escape all this by trying to take up acting for a living but fails in her endeavour. Meanwhile, Hurstwood unintentionally commits a theft, and in a panic runs away from Chicago to New York, taking Carrie with him by deception. In New York, they try to start a new life but increasingly fail in their efforts. Finally, Carrie again takes up acting to support both of them, and she achieves success this time. She finally leaves Hurstwood behind to a life of penury. He commits suicide later in the novel. Carrie finds all her expectations and desires fulfilled from her acting career. She finds a life of luxury and money. But she also finds herself completely alone. She is unablee to love again, and falls into a permanent state of anxiety. At the end of the novel, we see her sitting in her rocking chair, looking through the window at the darkness outside. This image remains with us as we end the novel.

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