Carrie To Fall Like Carrie: A Literary Analysis

The plot is told by a third-person omniscient narrator which allows readers to get to know each character more in depth. First, they effectively describe each character’s attributes and allows more insight into them. They also describe the setting in many details, emphasizing the difference between the rich and poor lifestyles. For example, the department stores are seen as bright and clean shops where beautiful and fashionable people shop. On the other hand, Minnie’s apartment is small and narrow, and the shoe factory is dirty, cramped, and sweaty. The narrator displays the clear contrast of lifestyles that occurred as a result of capitalism. Naturally, the narrator’s description of the lavish stores, hotels, and houses lead Carrie to fall …show more content…
While Hurstwood does not fit the “traditional conception of tragic character,” his decline is a result of his own actions (Zender 64). His love for attractive things like Carrie ruined him. Instead of staying with his wife and child, he betrays them and leaves with a young woman. Although his marriage with his wife is not a short time, he still leaves her and does not try to fulfill her wishes like a husband would usually try to. For example, when she tries to get him to buy tickets for a show, he is extremely reluctant and thinks that she should not back talk him. Even his relationship with his children is poor with him never knowing where they are or what they are doing. He also does not try to prepare his children for their futures, showing a lack of love or care for his family. Hurstwood is not loyal even for reasonable obligations, so it explains why people leave him if they do not receive the proper respect or care they should be. While he appreciates Carrie’s beauty, he never tries to look beyond her look and perceived character. Since he himself is shallow, it makes sense that he would also judge others by pure appearance. Just like with his family, he expects her to go with his every whims like leaving to Canada together and leaving her first lover behind. He never tries to improve his own character and …show more content…
A teacher comments that teaching novels like Sister Carrie is hard since it is difficult “conveying the true weight of their seriousness” (Epstein 24). Relationships in Sister Carrie never seem to last long as a reflection of the loose relationships common during the time. Even if relationships do not last long, the characters seem to have an easy time to break off relationships. Carrie’s character are actually relatable since they are selfish and content with only fulfilling their own desires without concern for others. Capitalism and consumer culture is tightly intertwined in each character's life, showing realism and the effects of it on people. The realistic elements of Sister Carrie allows readers to understand how changes in society and status does not always lead to happiness for the characters. Contrary to expectations, trying to go after wishes does not mean that characters will succeed. The American Dream is a good ideal, but it can not always apply to every situation and not everyone can succeed and be happy. Carrie went after her dream and managed to be a star, but her romantic relationships did not last. On the other hand, Hurstwood impulsively took Carrie with him, but fails to keep her or regain his lost wealth. Making choices on “one’s instincts and one’s will” can lead to undesirable consequences like Carrie and Hurstwood (Epstein 25). The shallowness of the