Carrie Meeber

Definition

Carrie Meeber is the central character in Theodore Dreiser's novel 'Sister Carrie,' published in 1900. She embodies the struggles of a young woman seeking success and fulfillment in a rapidly industrializing America, illustrating themes of ambition, desire, and the harsh realities of urban life. Carrie's journey reflects the naturalist perspective by emphasizing the influence of environment and social conditions on individual fate.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Carrie Meeber starts as a naive young woman who moves to Chicago to seek a better life, showcasing her vulnerability in an unforgiving urban environment.
2. Throughout the novel, Carrie's relationships with men, particularly with Charles Drouet and George Hurstwood, reflect her desire for social advancement and emotional fulfillment.
3. Carrie's choices often lead her to conflict between her personal desires and societal norms, embodying the naturalist theme of individuals being trapped by their circumstances.
4. As Carrie becomes more successful as an actress, she experiences both the glamour and isolation of city life, further emphasizing the duality of her ambition.
5. The novel ends with Carrie achieving a degree of success but ultimately feeling unfulfilled, highlighting the emptiness that can accompany the pursuit of materialistic goals.

Review Questions

• How does Carrie Meeber's character development illustrate the principles of naturalism in literature?
  • Carrie Meeber's character development is a strong example of naturalism as it shows how her environment and social conditions significantly shape her life choices and ultimate fate. Initially portrayed as innocent and hopeful, her experiences in Chicago expose her to harsh realities that challenge her ambitions. The relationships she forms reveal how external factors like economic status and gender roles constrain her options, reinforcing the idea that individual lives are largely determined by circumstances beyond their control.
• Analyze the relationships Carrie has with Charles Drouet and George Hurstwood and how they reflect her internal conflicts regarding ambition and morality.
  • Carrie's relationships with Charles Drouet and George Hurstwood highlight her internal conflicts between ambition and morality. Drouet represents superficial charm and societal success, initially attracting Carrie with his material wealth but ultimately revealing a lack of genuine connection. In contrast, Hurstwood offers emotional depth but leads to moral ambiguity as he manipulates situations for personal gain. Through these relationships, Carrie navigates societal expectations while grappling with her desire for love and success, illustrating the complexity of human motivations.
• Evaluate how Carrie's journey from rural innocence to urban sophistication reflects broader themes in American literature during the naturalist period.
  • Carrie's journey from rural innocence to urban sophistication encapsulates broader themes in American literature during the naturalist period by emphasizing individual struggle against societal constraints. Her rise through various social strata mirrors the experiences of many Americans during rapid industrialization, where aspirations clashed with reality. This transformation also critiques the American Dream, revealing that success can lead to alienation rather than fulfillment. Carrie's story serves as a commentary on the dangers of unchecked ambition in a society that values material success over personal happiness.

Related terms

Naturalism: A literary movement that suggests people's lives are determined by environment, heredity, and social conditions, often portraying the darker aspects of life.

Dreiserian Characters: Characters created by Theodore Dreiser that often face moral dilemmas and are shaped by their social and economic environments.

Sister Carrie: The novel by Theodore Dreiser that tells the story of Carrie Meeber's rise from a poor country girl to a woman living in the city, highlighting her struggles with love, ambition, and societal expectations.