Dreiser also accomplishes something that is just another sign of what a great writer he really is. He manages to create a compelling story of depth based largely on shallow characters. Perhaps Carrie might be capable of depth, but she sure doesn’t seem to value much beyond her own self-interest. Is she a bad person? No, just immature. She’s actually very believable and reminds me of some of the girls I went to school with. People who place no value in others, view life as a disposable thing, and only take, take, take, want, want, want.
Another technique Dreiser uses is his narrative story switch. The book is of course about Carrie herself, but as the story goes on, it becomes more of Hurstwood’s tale. Yes, Carrie is still the force driving it, but we are given two separate lives—as Carrie manages to thrive, Hurstwood becomes homeless, helpless.
It’s almost the Dorian Gray syndrome: as a result of such shallow values, one part of life deteriorates while another prospers at the same time. When Hurstwood is forced to wait in line with all the poor people just so he can get food, he does seem to learn a lesson about his own past arrogance, yet chooses not to carry it out. Instead, he just gives up. Carrie, on the other hand, has benefited from her shallowness, her mere luck, and will continue to do so. It is almost a strange blessing that she seems to let go of any desire to reflect on the emptiness of her life. She is satisfied with her emotional mediocrity and even though she’ll always be lonely and unhappy, she is not likely to ever realize she’s the cause, or even what she is really missing. Hence, why Dreiser ends with: “In your rocking chair, by your window dreaming, shall you long, alone. In your rocking chair, by your window, shall you dream such happiness as you may never feel.”
A great book — fresh in both prose style and social relevance, Sister Carrie deserves your readership.
Article comments
1 - Phillip
I think you've read the best of Dreiser. After Sister Carrie, I tried An American Tragedy. Whereas Carrie was artfully done, Tragedy is incredibly repetitive and lumbering.
Although I read it years ago, I still remember the scenes where Carrie goes looking for work. I cared about her plight. Dreiser was non-judgemental - Carrie did what she had to do.
I also liked how Dreiser was concerned with money. You don't find that a primary concern of many writers today - maybe because only those from affluent families can afford to get an MFA (rather than something practical, like a degree in business or accounting).
2 - Jschneider
I am planning on reading "The Financier" and I did order "An American Tragedy"--so I am interested to see how they are. Yes, the MFA thing can be a problem on multiple levels, but the biggest being the writing all sounds the same.
3 - Phillip
I was at the library, browsing their DVDs, and came across something called "Carrie." Yes, there's a movie version of Sister Carrie (I didn't know). I checked it out because 1) it starred Laurence Olivier and Jennifer Jones 2) it was directed by William Wyler and 3) the screenplay was by Ruth and Augustus Goetz. The latter 3 individuals were responsible for what I consider a masterpiece: "The Heiress." The Goetz's made the James' novel (Washington Square) more complex, more ambiguous. Of course, the director and the actors did their jobs to perfection.
I finished "Carrie" last night, and I think you (anybody) should see it. The story is Carrie's at first, then it becomes Hurstwood's. I felt that the ending of Sister Carrie was weak. I know, now, what was missing. What was missing is very hard to take - the film is almost brutally depressing. That's why, I suppose, it was a box office flop.
But it's a truthful and intelligent film. To me, those are redeeming elements.
And Olivier? - he's brilliant.
4 - Jschneider
That's good to know that a film was made--I was wondering. Though with a title like "Carrie" when you search for it, all that is likely to come up is Sissy in pig's blood.
I'll have to check it out sometime, it sounds interesting. Though I wish my tiny library carried it, though it doesn't even carry the Dreiser novel but has every Danielle Steel trash book ever published. Sad, huh?