“Sister Carrie” by Theodore Dreiser is a classic novel that tells the story of an ambitious young woman following her dreams of achieving a better life. In the early twentieth century, Carrie Meeber leaves her rural home in Wisconsin for the city of Chicago. She is a naïve young girl who is quickly drawn into the glamour and ambition of the city.
Carrie is quickly seduced by George Hurstwood, a married man whose money and connections provide her with financial security. She moves in with Hurstwood, and enjoys a comfortable lifestyle for a while. As time passes, she is slowly introduce to the world of vaudeville theater and the fast-paced lifestyles of theater people. Carrie becomes a chorus girl and an aspiring actress, trading in the more secure lifestyle she shared with Hurstwood for the pursuit of her dreams.
Carrie eventually meets Charles Drouet, an affluent playboy who provides Carrie with further financial security. She continues to pursue a career in stage performance, gradually rising through the vaudeville ranks. As her career advancement demands more of her time and dedication, Carrie has less and less time to spend with Hurstwood and eventually leaves him altogether. This devastating decision affects Hurstwood deeply and he sinks into an uncontrollable depression, leading him to commit suicide.
Despondent over Hurstwood’s death, Carrie finds comfort in Drouet and moves in permanently with him. Although comfortable, she is desperate for success in the theater and eventually finds steady work as an actress. Despite her newfound fame and fortune, her relationship with Drouet begins to deteriorate. Carrie eventually finds stability and true success after leaving Drouet and forming an affair with a wealthy older man, O.C. Haughwout.
Throughout the novel, Carrie experiences stratifying levels of emotional and financial growth as she navigates the obstacles and opportunities of the real world. She learns valuable lessons about ambition, love, and the power of money. In the end, Carrie is successful in pursuing her dreams, ultimately establishing her place in a fast-paced life of the city while raising her own spiritual consciousness.
“Sister Carrie” is an engaging and timeless portrait of an ambitious young woman’s quest for a better life. Theodore Dreiser paints a vivid portrait of how ambition and ambition’s limits can shape and test the human spirit. The novel is a classic reminder of the power of dreams to carry a person through life’s challenges.
