Sister Carrie

Definition

Sister Carrie is a novel written by Theodore Dreiser, published in 1900. It is considered a seminal work of American naturalism, depicting the harsh realities of urban life and the struggles of individuals seeking to improve their social and economic standing.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sister Carrie tells the story of a young woman named Carrie Meeber who leaves her small-town life to pursue opportunities in the city of Chicago.
2. The novel explores themes of ambition, desire, and the consequences of social and economic choices, as Carrie navigates the complexities of urban life.
3. Dreiser's naturalistic approach to storytelling emphasizes the impact of external forces, such as social class, gender, and economic circumstances, on Carrie's life and decision-making.
4. The novel was controversial upon its initial publication due to its frank depiction of sexuality and its lack of moral judgment towards Carrie's choices.
5. Sister Carrie is considered a pioneering work of American literary naturalism, influencing later writers and their portrayals of the urban experience.

Review Questions

• Explain how the concept of social mobility is reflected in the themes and characters of Sister Carrie.
  • The novel Sister Carrie explores the theme of social mobility, as the protagonist, Carrie Meeber, leaves her small-town life in search of greater opportunities and a higher social standing in the city of Chicago. Dreiser's naturalistic approach emphasizes the impact of external forces, such as class, gender, and economic circumstances, on Carrie's ability to navigate the social hierarchy. The novel depicts Carrie's gradual ascent in social status, as she moves from a working-class background to a life of relative luxury and influence, highlighting the complexities and challenges associated with social mobility in the urban environment.
• Analyze how the literary movement of naturalism is reflected in the characterization and narrative style of Sister Carrie.
  • Theodore Dreiser's Sister Carrie is considered a seminal work of American literary naturalism, a movement that emphasizes the deterministic forces of nature, heredity, and environment on human behavior and experiences. Dreiser's naturalistic approach is evident in the way he portrays the protagonist, Carrie Meeber, as a product of her social and economic circumstances, rather than a character driven by free will or moral agency. The novel's narrative style, which often reads as objective and detached, reflects the naturalistic belief that individuals are shaped by forces beyond their control. Dreiser's depiction of the harsh realities of urban life, the struggles of individuals seeking to improve their social standing, and the lack of moral judgment towards Carrie's choices all contribute to the novel's naturalistic sensibilities.
• Evaluate the significance of Sister Carrie in the context of the literary and cultural changes reflected in the chapter on 'Change Reflected in Thought and Writing'.
  • Sister Carrie, published in 1900, is a significant work in the context of the literary and cultural changes reflected in the chapter on 'Change Reflected in Thought and Writing'. Dreiser's novel exemplifies the shift towards a more naturalistic and realistic approach to storytelling, moving away from the idealized and moralistic narratives of the past. The novel's frank portrayal of sexuality, its lack of moral judgment, and its emphasis on the deterministic forces shaping human behavior were all considered controversial at the time, reflecting the broader cultural changes taking place in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Additionally, Sister Carrie's exploration of themes such as social mobility, ambition, and the challenges of urban life resonates with the chapter's focus on the changing social and economic landscape of the period, as well as the emerging literary movements that sought to capture these transformations.

Related terms

Naturalism:

A literary movement that emerged in the late 19th century, emphasizing the deterministic forces of nature, heredity, and environment on human behavior and experiences.

Urban Realism: A style of writing that focuses on the gritty, realistic portrayal of life in urban settings, often highlighting the challenges and hardships faced by individuals in the city.

Social Mobility:

The movement of individuals or groups within a social hierarchy, either upward or downward, in terms of their economic, social, or political status.