At age eighteen, Carrie Meeber moves from a small town to the big city of Chicago, where she tries to make a living. When she runs into difficulties, rather than return home, she accepts assistance from a man who leads her to believe they will marry. She eventually becomes involved with another man who, unbeknownst to her, is already married. Carrie drifts through life with no set goals, at times encountering failure and at other times finding success. One of the primary themes appears to be the role of chance in a person’s life, especially for those who, like Carrie, are initially not particularly assertive or decisive.

This book was published in 1900 and is set mostly in the 1890’s. In this book Dreiser illustrates major changes taking place in society at the time, such as the increase in industrialization, rise in consumerism, changes in traditional roles for women, improvement in mobility (via train travel), and shifts in moral standards. It is fascinating to me to read books written long ago, as it provides a true picture of what life was like in those days. One of Carrier's places of employment is described as:

“The place smelled of the oil of the machines and the new leather—a combination which, added to the stale odours of the building, was not pleasant even in cold weather. The floor, though regularly swept every evening, presented a littered surface. Not the slightest provision had been made for the comfort of the employees, the idea being that something was gained by giving them as little and making the work as hard and unremunerative as possible. What we know of foot-rests, swivel-back chairs, dining-rooms for the girls, clean aprons and curling irons supplied free, and a decent cloak room, were unthought of. The washrooms were disagreeable, crude, if not foul places, and the whole atmosphere was sordid.”

The book is compelling and extremely well-constructed. It is structured around major set pieces, with natural transitions between them. The characters are realistic; they exhibit both virtues and flaws. Dreiser provides an unnamed narrator, who occasionally addresses the reader. This narrator occasionally indulges in generalizations about women and ethnic comments that may not sit well with a modern audience, though it is possible that Dreiser is showing that the narrator is a product of an earlier way of thinking, as Carrie’s trajectory diverges from the narrator’s rather generic observations.

This book is well worth reading for the way it brings to life the seeds of change that have become the norm today. It provides a vivid picture of the urban scene at the turn of the 20th century, and parts of it are very sad. Dreiser was ahead of the curve and roundly criticized, but this book stands the test of time and has become a classic. ( )

The trials and tribulations of Sister Carrie as she makes her way up the ladder of success in the big city society of turn of the century Chicago and New York. Dreiser is a great storyteller and the book winds it way through the many twists and turns with a captivating narrative.

Looming behind the tale is a philosophy type message that links how each and every person at one time or other grapples with achievement in life despite the many obstacles. Carrie is clearly a prime example of how difficult life can be for those on the outside only to see her dreams unfold eventually through her determination and a bit of luck. Her antagonist finds the flipside in the fall from power and glory and in this transition the philosophy of Dreiser is on full display. ( )

Here's what I wrote after reading in 1988: "Another story of a young woman facing complex moral choices. Interestingly, though, Carrie did not seem to be aware of complexity. According to the experts, Sister Carrie is American's first novel dealing the urbanization of the country. Most of its scenes occur in Chicago or New York and include city elements: department stores, apartment houses, saloons, and theaters. Most memorable character? Of course, Carrie, who rises from poverty to stardom through the aid of her lovers and yet who is destined to "dream such happiness as (she) may never feel." ( )

Case 13 shelf 2

Fiction