Sister Carrie is Dreiser's first novel, which tells the story of a Midwestern girl Carrie's journey from the bottom of society to a Broadway star. Carrie came to the prosperous Chicago with beautiful dreams, but the cruelty of reality finally pushed the young girl who was inexperienced in the world and very vain into the arms of the salesman Drouet. Bars manager Hurstwood crazy pursuit and Drouet left so that Carrie upset. One night after stealing a large sum of money, Hurstwood claims that Drouet is in hospital for a car accident, and tricks Carrie into getting on a train in Canada. On his arrival, persuaded by a friend to return most of the money stolen, he took Carrie to New York to settle. Hearst knew nothing of New York, lost what little capital he had, and ended up in the gas trap of the slums.
Carrie came from the countryside, the first to the big city work experience, let her feel the terrible poverty. Then, between poverty and pleasure, he chose to be Drouet's mistress. However, the material acquisition did not satisfy Carrie. After meeting Hurstwood, Carrie was impressed by Hurstwood's dress and chic demeanor, which also ignited Carrie's desire to pursue a higher level of life. Carrie was a person who was never satisfied with her present situation. For Carrie, the realization of her dream was a passing thing, a starting point for new pursuits. As a result, when she got material satisfaction, she began to feel that the money and status she had been striving for in the past did not make her happy, so she began to pursue art again.
Hurstwood was the manager of a Chicago bar. He was a funny, sociable man with a different style and manner. As a hotel manager, he can't argue with people, can't say what he wants, he has a lot of desire, but he never exposed, these can not say to anyone, no one cares about his desire. His family was very traditional, and this family life, supported by the force of habit and traditional ideas, made him feel dull. It was in this domestic atmosphere, long lived, that Carrie's presence brightened his eyes. He would have done anything for Carrie, even in disgrace, to run away with her. When Carrie arrived in New York, in order to reduce the burden of life, she abandoned Hurstwood. His tragedy began when he met Carrie.
The fates of Carrie, Hurstwood and Drouet are determined at the beginning of the story. Drouet, a cynic who never fell too deeply in love, survived. Hurstwood's love for Carrie was so deep that he could not make a rational choice. For Carrie, he did not hesitate to abandon his family and position, and drifted away from home. Carrie knew exactly what she wanted, and she would work hard for her goal
It seemed to me that Carrie's constant pursuit of lightness was not a good thing, but it was certainly a necessity under such poverty. We are unable to resist this ruthless society, then go to change themselves, but in the process, must not lose their own.
