The accomplishment of the case happiness

Plan

The new, Sister Carrie, written by Theodore Dreiser begins in

1889 with Caroline Meeber, an innocent, naive eighteen-year-old lady

departing coming from her house in Columbia City to call home with her sister Minnie

in Chi town. While on the train, Barbara encounters a man by name

of Charles Drouet, whom she hopes to consult once she settles into her

fresh residence. Unfortunately, Carrie discovers that she will be unable to

acquire Drouet as being a houseguest at her sisters flat. Barbara is encouraged

to look for employment in order to facilitate her sister and brother-in-

regulation in paying out their rent. She deals with to hold down a job for any short

period of time but then falls ill. Following regaining her strength, Barbara

has difficulty locating an additional job. Somehow, she reencounters

Drouet and takes him up on a package to move within him. Soon after Carrie

forms into her new living arrangement, Drouet invites his friend

Hurstwood, over to fulfill her. Carrie and Hurstwood fall in take pleasure in despite the

fact that he is wedded and believes that the girl with Drouets partner. Upon

finding that Hurstwood is wedded, Carrie turns into upset and refuses to

contact him any longer. Drouet goes out following his breakthrough that Carrie

has been meeting with Hurstwood at the rear of his backside. Subsequently, Hurstwood

steals 10 thousand dollars from the secure where he functions and tricks Carrie

in traveling to Canada with him. The match settles in New York and

Hurstwood begins a fruitless search for career. A long period of your energy

elapses and Hurstwood, who was simply a member of high-society in Chicago, is usually

unable to get yourself a job. Carrie abandons him and look for her dream of

becoming a great actress, whilst living with her friend, Lola Osborne, who may be

also an actress. Barbara becomes successful, yet the lady never accomplishes the

condition of pleasure based on materials possessions that she kept Columbia

Metropolis to pursue at the commencement of the novel. Rather, your woman discovers

that her best happiness is just an unachievable illusion.

Characters

Caroline Meeber, also known as Carrie by simply most other characters

serves as the character whose activities the reader employs throughout the

span of the novel. Carrie signifies the opportunity to advance

within the class system that Dreiser makes for the novel. The lady believes

that becoming a a part of high-society will allow her to obtain the happiness

that she thus desires. She begins included in the lower stratum of contemporary society

and climbs higher through her marriage with Drouet. Although Barbara

enjoys her improved interpersonal standing, the lady still wants for more. She wishes

to be part of the first-class society that Hurstwood signifies. Her objective

throughout the book remains to achieve happiness by acquiring enough money

and status in order to gain access to large society. Carrie also

appreciates that the girl does not wish to return to where she originate from.

She can have overcome the fear of hunger and gone back, the

thought of effort and a narrow rounded of struggling would, under the last

pressure of notion, have produced, but spoil her overall look? -be old

clothed and poor-appearing? -never! (Dreiser 81) Rather than achieving

happiness, at the end of the story, after Barbara has acquired both

the money and self-reliance she therefore desired, the girl realizes that she is continue to

alone. Among the shiny decorations and shine of her state wandered Carrie, unhappy.

(399)

Minnie Hanson, Holds sister in Chicago, presents the beginning of

Provides search for a thing better. The sisters don’t have much in

common. Minnie was no assessment for her sister-she was too old. (41)

When Minnie greets her in Chicago, il, Carrie, feels cold reality taking

her by the palm. (8) Minnie serves as Provides transition between living

acquainted with her as well as living exclusively with a man in the actual.

George Hurstwood epitomizes the achievement in the American dream

even still today. He possesses funds and a seemingly best family

nevertheless , as is necessary, Hurstwoods residence could hardly be

considered to be infused with this residence spirit. (68) To Carrie, Hurstwood

symbolizes everything that the girl desires to become and to have. She mistakenly

infers that he must end up being happy, pertaining to he has everything that you could possibly

desire. She falls into love with him and until they are really in New york city does not

realize that underneath every one of his property and riches, he provides

imperfections a lot like those of Drouet, or any other man. Following he loses

all of his money and has no potential customer of upcoming employment, Regular

comparison between his outdated state wonderful new showed a balance intended for the

a whole lot worse, which created a constant state of gloom or, at least depression.

(260) Not willing to cope with the prospect of impending lower income, Carrie

goes out to experience an actress friend of hers.

Charles Drouet is usually Carries initial experience with a person in her life.

The girl does not particularly have any kind of affection pertaining to him, yet she feels that

she is in debt for him some thing for supporting her in her moments of need. He

facilitates her by giving her money and a place to have when she is unable

to discover a job, even though he is only this good in order to make her

feel dependent upon him. The lady greatly appreciates his initiatives, feeling while

though a great arm got slipped away before her to bring off difficulty. (50)

Drouet functions as being a static persona, upon which one can measure the

improvement of Carrie and Hurstwood throughout the story. He will not

represent while high of a class in culture as does Hurstwood, but he still

lives comfortably, with money to spare. His clothes were particularly new

and rich in appearance. (78) Drouet becomes disturbed when he learns of

Carries romantic relationship with Hurstwood but is actually more annoyed by the

reality she favors another man over him than the fact that he really loves her.

Julia Hurstwood epitomizes a woman living the life of luxury. The lady

stays away of her husbands business matters, and he compensates by

offering her with everything materialistic that she could ever need or perhaps

want. Julia is very focused on appearances and desires to have only

the best of everything, the two for her and for her kids. After she

discovers Hurstwoods relationship with Carrie, the girl demands funds to go on

a visit with her children and wish to discover Hurstwood again.

Jessica Hurstwood palpably comes after in the footsteps of her patrician

mother, Julia. Her main goal throughout the book is to search for a

suitable husband. She acts supercilious and believes that she is remarkable

to anyone possessing less of your budget than her, a belief undoubtedly spurned by

her mothers example. Jessica works in discovering a wealthy husband and

will likely still follow in her moms footsteps during her

adult life.

Mrs. Vance and Mrs. Honest Hale symbolize another example of what

Barbara believes could make her completely happy. Mrs. Outspoken Hale lives in the same

building as Carrie and Drouet and starts Carries eyes to the course above

her in culture. Mrs. Vance, who comes from the toned next door to Carrie and

Hurstwood in New York, acts a similar purpose. Both flats were great to

look upon, even though that of the Vances were known somewhat even more to the

deluxe. (243) These kinds of women collection standards for Carrie that outline her

desires for future years.

Bob Ames, a relative of Mrs. Vance, whom the latter introduces to Barbara

impresses the young girl very much. She enjoys his company, obtaining value

in what he must say. In comparing him to both Hurstwood and Drouet, the girl

notices, He seemed better than Hurstwood, saner and brighter than Drouet.

(257) Carrie believes that Ames may possess even discovered the incredibly elusive

happiness that she, very little, is unable to identify.

Lola Osborne gives Barbara the valor to move away of Hurstwoods flat

and life. Both the women live together as roommates right up until Carrie starts to

make more money, after which they both move into a hotel. Lola is also

an actress and encourages Barbara to reach her potential in the theater.

Lola also appears to possess the delight that Carrie searches for. Your woman

tells Carrie, Therere tons would give all their ears being in your sneakers.

(363) However, Lola would not seem disappointed.

Major Issues

Many of the conflicts in Sis Carrie happen to be motivated by desire

for money, status, or perhaps happiness. The type of example is definitely Carries issue

between herself and world, pertaining to her search for delight. It

appears that society regularly shows Carrie something to choose from that

represents more affluence than this lady has access to, which her brain

signifies more happiness. This conflict is never resolved, pertaining to Carrie

under no circumstances reaches that state of happiness, which she searches for throughout

the novel. Near to the conclusion, Carrie realizes that money would not assure

joy. She experienced learnedin her own present state, had not been

happiness. (399)

Hurstwood partcipates in a turmoil of the type man compared to man with his

wife, Julia, motivated by desire for cash once the lady decides to divorce

him. She is convinced that she should be able to get hold of his money, especially

seeing that he was disloyal to her. Hurstwood obviously disagrees with this kind of

train of thought and fights to keep his funds. Julia data files suit with

McGregor, David, and Hay, who give Hurstwood an email saying, We beg to

inform youbefore filing fit against youfor divorce and alimony.

(192) Unfortunately intended for Hurstwood, Julia ends up with all of his cash.

Drouet and Hurstwood join in a turmoil motivated by the desire to

get Carrie and her affection. It is not especially clear if

either Drouet or Hurstwood actually love Carrie. Drouet lives with Carrie

pertaining to an extended time period and never desires to get married to her, yet when

Hurstwood appears in the picture, Drouet suddenly will need to have his treasured

Carrie around. his attitude had been that of the jealous lover. Now

his thoughts were a mixture of anger in deception, misery, woe, anguish at dropping Carrie

unhappiness at getting defeated. (181) Hurstwood does not want to improve his

position in world or scar his standing, but still would like to have Barbara

all to himself. It appears as if Hurstwood wins her affection, yet this is

only temporary. Although they get married to, it is not legal. In the end, the

conflict is usually resolved when ever Carrie goes off alone will not remain with either

person.

An alternate example of a conflict between gentleman and culture is that

between Hurstwood and society. Hurstwood begins as an opulent man in

Chicago. When he and Carrie travel to Ny, he discovers that

What ever a man just like Hurstwood could possibly be in Chi town, it is very obvious that

he’d be but the inconspicuous drop in an sea like New You are able to. (232)

Without a job, Hurstwood succumbs to culture and emerges as the loser in

this discord. Society pushes him straight down farther and farther till he is

unable to reach back again.

Symbols and Motifs

The rocking seat represents a significant symbol in Sister Carrie.

From her sisters flat in Chicago, il, to her package in a elegant hotel Barbara

finds a rocking seat in almost every space. In Minnies flat, Carrie

drew normally the one small rocking-chair up to the wide open window, and sat looking

out after the night and streets in silent question. (11) Also, in Carries

beautiful hotel suite inside the Waldorf, In her rocking-chair she sat, when

not otherwise engagedsinging and dreaming. (398) The ubiquitous rocking

chairs illustrate Carries drive to Fantasy Land, or high culture.

Additional icons in the book exist as the theaters

hotels, restaurants, and other complexes. As Barbara strolls straight down Broadway

your woman notices these types of buildings and determines what she thinks will bring her

happiness. After visiting a restaurant with Mr. Vance, Mrs. Vance, and Mister.

Ames, Barbara muses, Oh, how fortuitous was Mrs. Vance, small, beautiful

and well offat least, completely so to come here in a coach. What a

fantastic thing it had been to be wealthy. (253) Whilst walking straight down Broadway with

Mrs. Vance, Carrie allongé, to feel the delight of parading here since an

the same. Ah, in that case she would be happy! (247) Therefore , the existence of

these emblems illustrates the theme of searching for happiness as well as the

foreboding allusion that finish happiness can be just a fantasy.

Themes

In Sister Barbara, Dreiser endeavors to express to the reader how the

misguided search for happiness through the achievement of the American

dream of achievement can perform more injury than very good. Carrie begins as part of the

lower-middle class of society and makes her approach to the best. Throughout the

new, In the watch of a certain assise of world, Carrie was comfortably

established-in the sight of the starveling, beaten by simply every wind flow and gusty

sheet of rain she was safe in a halcyon harbor. (74) Her developments are in

part because of arduous work and in part due to her good luck. Carrie is meant

to symbolize the, central American class(2), Drouet, a class higher

and Hurstwood, a class higher than that. Carrie was not by any means a

gloomy soul, (76) yet , she by no means feels completely happy. For the

duration of the novel, Carrie searches vainly for authentic happiness. This kind of

theme is still relevant today because various people even now possess the American

dream of success and joy based on wealth and social status. Dreiser

wants you to think about whether this true pleasure exists whatsoever.

Ironically, since an actress in the enjoy, Under the Gaslight, by

Augustin Daly, Carrie speaks this kind of line, It is just a sad issue to want for

happiness, nonetheless it is a terrible thing to determine another groping about blindly

for it, in the next almost in the grasp. (148) If Barbara would understand

that contentment in life is not simply based on materialistic belongings

and salary, she could possibly become completely happy. Unfortunately, the girl never

involves realize this. The reader is left with the impression the fact that

happiness that Carrie looks for does not exist and perhaps this is correct.

Perhaps the American dream of joy is just that-a dream, an illusion.

Inside your rocking-chair, by your window fantasizing, shall you long, only.

In your rocking-chair, by your windows, shall you dream these kinds of happiness while

you shall never feel. (400)

The Achievement of True Joy

AP English

Summer Groundwork

August 31, 2000