毕业设计从女性主义角度解读《嘉莉妹妹》英语论文.doc

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XXXX大学本科毕业论文（设计）任务书编号：论文（设计）题目：从女性主义角度解读《嘉莉妹妹》学院：XXX学院专业：英语教育班级：XXXX级英语教育X班学生姓名：XXX学号：XXXXXXXX指导教师：XX职称：XX1、论文（设计）研究目标及主要任务本论文的研究目标是从女性主义角度解读女主人公嘉莉.米贝的新女性形象。2、论文（设计）的主要内容本论文分为两章，第一章介绍嘉莉从依附家庭成员和情人到实现独立，并分析其依赖的客观社会原因。第二章讨论了嘉莉自我意识的觉醒。3、论文（设计）的基础条件及研究路线本论文的基础条件是不同的研究者对文章的不同解读。研究路线是对嘉莉.米贝在男权社会的新女性形象进行具体的阐释和解读。4、主要参考文献E.L.Doctorow.1958.AnIntroductiontoSisterCarrie.NewYork:ABantamBook,Inc.AbrhamH.Maslow,G.N.1970.atheoryofhumanmotivation.NewYork:Harper&RowCharvetr,J.1982.Feminism.London:J.M.Dent&SonsLtd.,蒋道超，1999，《德莱赛研究》，上海：上海外语教育出版社。朱达，1989，《论德莱赛的〈嘉莉妹妹〉》，外国文学研究。5、计划进度阶段起止日期1确定初步论文题目3月9日前2与导师见面，确定大致范围，填开题报告和任务书，导师签字3月9日-3月16日3提交论文提纲3月16日-3月23日4交初稿和文献综述3月23日-4月20日5交终稿和评议书5月8日前指导教师：年月日教研室主任：年月注：一式三份，学院（系）、指导教师、学生各一份36 XXXX大学本科生毕业论文（设计）开题报告书XXX学院英语教育专业XXXX届学生姓名XXX论文（设计）题目从女性主义角度解读《嘉莉妹妹》指导教师XX专业职称XX所属教研室英语高级教研室研究方向英美文学课题论证：从女性主义角度解读女主人公嘉莉.米贝的新女性形象。方案设计：第一章介绍嘉莉从依附到独立，第二章阐述嘉莉自我意识的觉醒。进度计划：3月9日前确定初步论文题目3月16日前写开题报告、任务书3月23日前提交论文提纲4月20日前提交初稿和文献综述5月8日前交终稿和评议书指导教师意见：指导教师签名：年月日教研室意见：教研室主任签名：年月日36 XXXX大学本科生毕业论文（设计）评议书姓名XXX学院XXX学院专业英语教育年级（班）XXXX级英语教育X班论文题目从女性主义角度解读《嘉莉妹妹》完成时间XXXX/4/12论文内容摘要西奥多.德莱赛是二十世纪美国文学史上的一名著名作家。他的作品深受广泛读者的喜爱。同时，德莱赛在文学评论界也备受关注。他的第一部小说《嘉莉妹妹》是自然主义的代表作，一直以来都是美国文学史上的讨论热点。评论家们从不同的视角对这部作品进行了研读，但很少从女性角度进行系统研读。小说以十九世纪末二十世纪初的美国为背景，当时美国社会正处于社会变革时期。工业化的出现改变了人们的生活方式和思维方式，尤其是女性的思想。其中，流行的消费主义和根深步步名利双收，而殷实的饭店经历赫思德伍德却沦落为乞丐，自杀身亡。此论文包括简介和结论，共由四章组成。第一章简单介绍了作者，尤其是其家庭背景和主要作品。第二章介绍了在根深蒂固的男权社会新女性涌现的现状，分析了嘉莉实现独立于家庭和情人的过程。第三章讨论了三种传统女性及其各自不同的命运轨迹。着重分析了嘉莉自我意识的觉醒，包括对美的意识和才能意识及其生活态度由消极向积极的转变。第四章总结全文和《嘉莉妹妹》的研究方向。此研究的重要性包括三方面。首先，本文细致地阐述了文本，让读者对情节和人物性格及关系有了更深刻的了解。其次，本文使用理论论证，让人信服。再次，本文分析了新女性的具体表现，激励更多的女性摆脱家庭的束缚，实现经济独立，在男权社会追求自由。指导教师评语年月日指导教师职称初评成绩36 答辩小组姓名职称教研室组长成员答辩记录：记录人签字：年月日答辩小组意见：组长签字：年月日学院意见：评定成绩：签章年月日36 XXXX大学本科生毕业论文（设计）文献综述LiteratureReviewSisterCarriehasbeenastirandstudiedwidelybyscholarsfromallovertheworldsinceitspublication.Differentscholarshavedifferentunderstandingsaboutit.SomeinterpretsitfromAmericanfeministperspective.BeauvoirSimonesisoneofthem.InhisTheSecondSex,publishedin1954,heanalyzeswoman’sdifferentsituationindifferentlifephrase,includingchildhood,puberty,sexenlightmentphraseafter-marriage,beingamotherandgrowingoldandmakesjudgementsonpotentialpredicamentshemayencounters,suchasbecomingahomo-sexualorfamousstar.Theauthoralsoexplainsdevelopingprocessandcomplicatedincentivesocialcausesofnarcissisticwoman,womaninloveandpiouswoman.Finallyshepointsoutthattheonlyroadtoliberationistobecomeindependent.Heemphasizedthatonlybyimprovingeconomicstatus,canwomanbeactuallyequalwithmaninamale-dominatedsociety.SusmanWarrenpublishedCultureashistory:theTransformationofAmericanSocietyinTwentiethCenturyin1984.ItisoneoftheseminalbooksthatmadepopularcultureacentralconcernofAmericanhistorians.Withamazingcreativity,clarity,andwit,WarrenSusman(1927-1985)takesusonaprovocativetourofthehighlightsofAmericanculture.Bylookingatalltypesof20th-centuryculture—highbrow,lowbrow,andmiddlebrow—SusmanshowshowcultureitselfhasbecomeabattlegroundforcompetingvisionsofAmericanlife.FourteenessaysincludesuchtopicsasthenatureofAmericanconservatism,theculturalcontradictionsofaconsumersociety,andtheroleoftheurbanexperienceinthedevelopmentofAmericanculture.Inhisopinion,peopleareallinfluencedbytheindustrialdevelopmentandconsumeristsociety,whichisanapparentfeatureexhibitedatthesocietytransformationera.Theyshowintensivedemandandcontinutousdesireformaterialthings.Laterin1997,RuthLister.CitizenshippublishesFeministPerspectives.RuthListerarguesforanewfeministnotionofcitizenship,onethatcanaccommodatedifference.Listerarguesthatcitizenshiphastraditionallybeenatoolofsocialandpoliticalexclusion,inequality,andxenophobia.36 How,then,sheasks,canitlenditselftoaninclusiveanalysisandtopoliticsabletoaccommodatedifference?Andhowcanitofferasolidfoundationforprogressive,nondiscriminatorypolicymaking?Addressingthesedifficultquestions,Listerdrawsonarangeofdisciplinesandaburgeoninginternationalliteratureoncitizenship.Topinpointtheimportanttheoreticalissuesthattheyraise,Listerrecaststraditionalthinkingabouttheconceptofcitizenship,exploringitspoliticalandpolicyimplicationsforwomeninalltheirdiversity.Themesofinclusionandexclusion(atthenationalandinternationallevel),rightsandparticipation,inequalityanddifferencearethusbroughttotheforeinthedevelopmentofa"woman-friendly"theoryandpraxisofcitizenship.Thisbookprovidesnewinsightsforboththeoryandpolicy.Itwillbeofparticularinterestandrelevancetostudentsinarangeofdisciplines-includingwomen'sstudies,politicalscience,sociology,andpublicpolicystudies-aswellasactivistsandpolicymakers.KarenJ.warrenpublishesecologicalfeminism.Thisanthologyisthefirstsuchcollectiontofocusontheexclusivelyphilosophicalaspectsofecologicalfeminism.Itaddressesbasicquestionsabouttheconceptualunderpinningsof'women-nature'connections,andemphasizestheimportanceofseeingsexismandtheexploitationoftheenvironmentasparallelformsofdomination.EcologicalFeminismisenrichedbytheinclusionofessayswhichtakedifferingviewsoftheimportanceandnatureofecofeminism.DonaldPizerpublishesNewEssaysonSisterCarriein2007.TheintroductionbyDonaldPizerdescribesindetailthebiographicalandhistoricalbackgroundofthenovelanditscriticalreputation.Thefouroriginalessaysinthevolumenotonlytouchonlong-establishedapproachestoSisterCarriebutalsoreflectanumberoftheconcernsofrecentscholarlyandcriticalmovements.Eachoftheessaysisaself-standingexaminationofamajorareaofinterestinthenovel,includingsuchtopicsastheimpactofDreiser'sownlifeonthecreationofCarrieandHurstwood,therelationshipofCarrieandthetheater,andDreiser'snaturalismandhisnarrativetechnique.36 本科生毕业论文设计从女性主义角度解读《嘉莉妹妹》作者姓名XXX指导教师XX所在学院XXX学院专业（系）英语教育班级（届）XXXX级英教X班完成日期XXXX年5月8日36 FeministreadingonSisterCarrieByXXXXProf.XX,TutorAThesisSubmittedtoDepartmentofEnglishLanguageandLiteratureinPartialFulfillmentoftheRequirementsfortheDegreeofB.AinEnglishAtXXXXUniversityMay8,XXXX36 AbstractTheodorDreiserisadistinguishedwriterinAmericanliteratureintwentiethcentury.Heboastsreadersallovertheworld.Inthemeantime,Dreiseriswidelydiscussedincriticalfiled.Hisfirstnovel,SisterCarrieishisfirstnovelandtypicalrepresentativeofnaturalismandhasremainedahottopicinAmericanliterature.Bynow,thisnovelhasbeenresearchedfromvariousperspectives,butfewfromfeministicaspectssystematically.WithAmericansocietyattheturnofthe19thand20thcentury,thenovelwitnessesgreattransformationofthatera.Theboomingindustrializationchangespeople’slifestyleaswellastheirwayofthinkingandideology,especiallyfemale’sthoughts.SisterCarriejuxtaposesrisetobecomeacelebrityofacountrygirlanddegradationofanaffluentmanagertoahomelessbeggarandfinallyresortstosuicidal.However,popularizedcommercialismandpatriarchalthoughtsimposesnegativeinfluenceonwoman,despiteofwhich,Carrieachievesindependencefromfamilyandloverandrealizestalentandbeautyawareness.Thethesisiscomposedoftwochapters.Chapteroneintroducestheemergenceofnewwomaninthedeeply-rootedpatriarchalsociety,analyzesCarrie’sindependencefromfamilyandloversandexplainstheobjectivereasonforherdependence-consumeristsociety.ChaptertwodiscussesthreekindsoftraditionalwomanandtheirfatepatternandconcentratesonCarrie’sgradualachievementofbeautyawarenessandtalentawarenessandherattitudetorealityfrompassivenesstoactiveness.Thesignificanceofthestudyincludestwoaspects.Firstly,throughtheanalysis,theresearcherwantsreaderstobemorefamiliarwithplotandcharactersofthisnovel,notmerelyregardsitasanaturalisticwork.Secondly,theresearchtriestoemployconcretesupportingtheoriestoanalyzeKeywordsindependenceself-consciousnessfreedom36 摘要西奥多.德莱赛是二十世纪美国文学史上的一名著名作家。他的作品深受广泛读者的喜爱。同时，德莱赛在文学评论界也备受关注。他的第一部小说《嘉莉妹妹》是自然主义的代表作，一直以来都是美国文学史上的讨论热点。评论家们从不同的视角对这部作品进行了研读，但很少从女性角度进行系统研读。小说以十九世纪末二十世纪初的美国为背景，当时美国社会正处于社会变革时期。工业化的出现改变了人们的生活方式和思维方式，尤其是女性的思想。其中，流行的消费主义和根深步步名利双收，而殷实的饭店经历赫思德伍德却沦落为乞丐，自杀身亡。此论文包括简介和结论，共又四章组成。第一章简单介绍了作者，尤其是其家庭背景和主要作品。第二章介绍了在根深蒂固的男权社会新女性涌现的现状，分析了嘉莉实现独立于家庭和情人的过程。第三章讨论了三种传统女性及其各自不同的命运轨迹。着重分析了嘉莉自我意识的觉醒，包括对美的意识和才能意识及其生活态度由消极向积极的转变。第四章总结全文和《嘉莉妹妹》的研究方向。此研究的重要性包括三方面。首先，本文细致地阐述了文本，让读者对情节和人物性格及关系有了更深刻的了解。其次，本文使用理论论证，让人信服。再次，本文分析了新女性的具体表现，激励更多的女性摆脱家庭的束缚，实现经济独立，在男权社会追求自由。关键词独立自我意识自由36 TableofContentsAbstractⅢAbstractinChineseⅣIntroduction1ChapterⅠFromAffiliationtoIndependence4Ａ.Gainingindependencefromfamily5Ｂ.Gainingindependencefromlovers7Ｃ.Anobjectivereasonforherdependence-consumeristsociety...10ChapterⅡFromobediencetoself-consciousness12A.Beautyawareness14B.Talentawareness15C.Frompassiveacceptancetoactivepursuit…………………….16Conclusion20Notes23Bibliography2436 IntroductionA.ABriefIntroductiontoDreiserTheodoreDreiserisborninastrictCatholicfamilyinTerreHaute,Indiana,onAug.27,1871.Hisfamilywasmostlyimpoverished.AccordingtoDonaldPizer,"itwasafamilyattheverybottomofsocialscale—poor,large,ignorant,andsuperstitious." Fullofillusionsoverprosperityofthecity,hewenttoChicagoin15afterdrop-outinIndianaUniversity,wherehewasahandymanwithslenderpay.Hebecameajournalistin23,whichenabledhimtoseemiserablestruggleofthepoorandtheextremeextravagancyoftherichandseethroughtheexploitativenatureofCapitalismandlaidfoundationforhissubsequentnaturalisticworks.HeisoneofthemostextraordinaryliteraryfiguresinAmericahistoryof20thcenturyliterature.Hepublishedhisfirstnovel,SisterCarrieinNov.8,1900,whichwasthefirstmasterpieceoftheAmericannaturalisticmovement.Thedepthofcharacterizationandthenovel'sconceptionsprovedDreiser'stalentofbeingaliterarymaster.Hisnovelsmainlydealswithmattersofthedesiretoescapepovertyandthedesiretopossesswealthinasocietythatwasinaperiodoftransformation—"thetideofmigrationfromcountrytocity;theimpersonalnatureoftheurbansettingoffactories,tenements,anddepartmentstores;thecontrastofpovertyandwealth;thenewcultureofconspicuousconsumption”.AmericanTragedytellsthestoryofanambitiousyoungpersonfromtheMidwest.Inthiscase,however,thenovel'sheroisamanwhoisbroughttoruinbecauseofahorribleactionhecommits-hemurdersapooryoungwomanwhomhehasgottenpregnant,butwhomhewantstodiscardinfavorofawealthyyoungwomanwhorepresentsluxuryandsocialadvancement. Dreiserisalsoknownforthetrilogy-TheFinancier(1912),TheTitan(1914),andtheposthumouslypublishedTheStore(1947).Collectivelythethreebookspainttheportraitofabrilliantandruthless"financialbuccaneer."Dreiser’snarrationisnatural,frankandfreefromplotexaggeration,sentimentalityorpettiness.Histoneismostlyserious,neversarcasticorcomic.36 Hewinsadmirationfromreadersforlargequantitiesofreal-lifesubjects,detailed,preciseandpainting-likedescriptions,generouscompassionoverimmorality.Heisgoodatemployingthejournalistmethodofrepetitiontoburnacentralimpressioninreader’smind.B.ABriefIntroductiontoSisterCarrieInthenovel,Dreiserabandonsidealisticmoralizationandfocusesondetailedfactualpresentationofthevagariesofurbanlifeandsordidexistenceinhumanandsociety,andthereforeencountersheavyattacksandcondemnationfromscholars,criticsandpresscompanies.Manyreviewersviewsitas“gloomy”and“unhealthful”becausetheheroine,engagesinsexualrelationshipswithoutsufferingthepovertyandsocialdownfallthatweresupposedtobethe"punishment"forsuch"sin." ButthiscannotdenythefactthatitbecomesabeacontosubsequentAmericanwriterswhoseallegianceistotherealistictreatmentofanyandallsubjectmatter. SisterCarriesurvivesoveracenturyandremainstothisdayaninfluentialexampleofnaturalismandrealism.SisterCarrietellsthestoryofanignorantbuthonest,pretty,innocentandcleversmall-towngirlwhocomestothebigindustrializedcityChicagotomakealivingfilledwithvagueambitionsforhappiness.SheisusedbymenandusestheminturntobecomeasuccessfulBroadwayactresswhileGeorgeHurstwood,themarriedmanwithwhomshehasrunawaywith,loseshishopeinlifeanddescendsintobeggaryandsuicide.Intheprocess,Carriestrugglesformaterial,physicalandspiritualindependenceinpatriarchalsociety.SheisfirstlyaprivatedollofDrouetandHurstwoodandreliesonthemfinancially,thusissubordinatetothembothphysicallyandspiritually.Fortunately,sheisfinallyabletogetridofinsincererelationshipsandfamilyconfinementandbecomesafreeandstrongwomanwhoearnseverypennywithherownhandsandreceivesmaterialsatisfaction.Thestorybeginswith18-year-oldCarrieMeeber,bright,timidandfullofillusionsofinnocenceandyouth,boardingonatraintoChicagowithlittlebelongings.Onthetrain,asalesmannamedDrouetisattractedbyherbeautyand36 initiatedaconversation.Meanwhile,sheisimpressedwithDrouet’sfineclothesandmanner.BeforearrivinginChicago,theyagreeonadatebyexchangingaddressandDrouet’spromisetovisitCarrieathersister’shouse.AtthesightofMinnieinstation,Carriefeelsharshreality.Byobservation,CarrierealizesthatMinnielivesamonotonous,dullandconventionallifewithandurgencyofherfindingajobtopayboarding.Shegoestojob-huntingwithmixedtimidityandbravery;finallyshefindsajobinashoefactory,whichsheviewsasatemporarystandpoint.AfterpayingforMinnieandbrother-in-lawHanson,Carriecannotevenaffordawintercoat.Shefeltillandlostjob.FacingthecrisisofleavingChicago,shehuntsjobagainbutinvain.Frustratedanddesperate,shegoesacrossDrouet,towhomshetellsaboutimpassesheencountered.DrouetlendsherahandandpersuadedhertoleaveMinnie’shouseandrentahouseforher.ThenDrouetintroduceshertoHurstwood,managerofatop-scalesaloon,whoismoredecentandsophisticatedthanDrouetandownsadelicatehouse,awife,adaughterandason.HurstwoodfallscrazilyinlovewithCarrieandvisitesCarriewhileDrouetisonabusinesstrip.Whenhereturns,DrouetsecuresapartforCarrieinaplay.CarriepresentesoutstandingperformanceandassuresHurstwoodofdeterminationtoobtainCarrie.However,DrouetfoundaboutHurstwood’sfrequentvisit,whichresultesinhisseriousquarrelwithCarrie.CarrieblamesDrouetforherignoranceofHurstwood’smarriage.Meanwhile,Hurstwood’scontinuingneglectandaloofarousesHurstwood’swifeJulia’ssuspicion.Juliaisacalculating,coldandself-centeredwoman.SheknowsHurstwood’saffairwithacertainwomanfromafriend’smouth.SheconfrontsHurstwoodandtakesaseriesofactionstopunishHurstwood,includingfilingfordivorce,hiringadetective.Facedwithfinancialandsocialcollapse,Hurstwoodsteals9thousanddollarsfromboss’ssafeandalluresCarrieontoatraintoMontrealbytricksoflyingthatDrouetwasinjured.InMontreal,hereturnsmostofthemoneytoavoidprosecutionandsentence.TheygetmarriedunderthenameofWheeler.Thentheyleavesfor36 NewYorkandrentsanapartment.ButHurstwoodfailstofindajob.Finallyhebuysapartnerinatavern.Thingsarefineuntilthepartnerweredissolved.Heresortstofindanewemployment.Gradually,helosesdesireinjob-huntingandstaysathomeallday.Theymoveintoasmallerapartmentduetofinancialembarrassment.Hurstwooddegeneratesintoidlenessandstartedgambling.Carriesetsouttofindaplaceinachorus.Shebecomesbreadwinnerandpaysforfamilyexpenditure.ThensheleavesHurstwoodandlivedwithafriend.Intheend,CarrierisestofameandfortuneinsharpcontrastwithHurstwood’sbeggaryandsuicidal.DrouetacknowledgesCarries’careersuccessandtriestorestorerelationshipwithherbutisrefused.Furthermore,Hurstwood’sex-wife’swishofherdaughtermarryinganaffluenthusbandcomestrue.C.PurposeoftheStudySisterCarrieisaclassicrepresentativeofnaturismliterature.Fewscholarsstudyitfromfeministicperspective.ThisthesisintendstoenrichresearchofDreiserandSisterCarrieinacomprehensivewayfromfeministicperspectiveandfurtherarousefeminine’sself-consciousnesstobeindependentfinancially,courageous,freeandpositiveespeciallyinaman-dominatedpatriarchalsociety.ChapterⅠFromAffiliationtoIndependenceThe NewWoman isa feministidealthatemergedinthelate19thcenturyandhadaprofoundinfluenceonfeminismwellintothetwentieth.Theterm"NewWoman"waspopularizedbyAmericanwriterHenryJames,todescribethegrowthinthenumberoffeminist,educated,independentcareerwomeninEuropeandtheUnitedStates.Intheendof19thcentury,thereemergesthousandsof”newwoman”,theyaremainlydividedinto2categories:womanlaborersinworkingclassandyounggirlorladyfrommiddleclasswhoisconfinedtoaparticularrolebutdissatisfiedwithtraditionwomandestiny.CarrieMeeberisanewwomanwhocomestoametropolitancityfullofambitionsforfortuneandsuccesswithatotaloutfitofasmalltrunk,a36 cheapimitationalligator-skinsatchel,ayellowleathersnappurse.Practically,sheownsnothingvaluable.Thepatriarchalnotionofwomensubordinatedtomenhasbeenrootedinpeople’smindessentiallybecauseofwomen’sfinancialdependenceandaffiliationonman.Aristotledefineswomenas“misbegottenmales”andAquinasbelievesthatwomenarePenis一envying(Ruth1991:2).T.N.SinghPointsoutthatwomanhavebeengenerallylookeduponasashadowfiguretoamalecaretaker,beheafather,husbandorson.(Singh1991:8).Thereisaclearlinethatwomanshouldbepious,submissive,obedient,domesticandsentimental.Onthecontrary,manshouldbedominant,confident,competentandrational.Anyonewhocrossestheboundarywillbedistainedandlabeledasperverseorabnormal.Inthe19thcentury,mandominatedpublicplacesandjobopportunitybecauseofcomparativelyphysicaladvantagesandoverwhelminggenderdiscrimination.Onthecontrary,womanworkedbehindthefiercesurvival–fightingarenaathomebygivingbirthtoandnurturingoff-springsanddoinghousework.Carrie’ssisterMinnieisaprototypeofsuchtraditionalwomen.In1870,womenintheprofessionswereonly6.4%oftheUnitedStatesnon-agriculturalworkforce;thisroseto10%in1900,then13.3%in1920.InSisterCarrie,atfirst,theheroinereliesonsisteremotionallyandisseducedtotheeasierwaytofortuneandfamebydependingontwoloversmateriallyandspiritually.WhensheloseshermoneysourcesafterHurstwood’sbankruptcyandspiritualdecadence,shecameoutagaintofindapositioninachorusandrisestofameasafamousactressstepbystepinBroadway.Eventually,SheleavesHurstwood,sometimesevensupportsHurstwoodwithmoneyandbecomesaphysicallyandspirituallyindependentindividual.Aftershatteringofillusionthathappiness,fortuneandstablelifewillfalluponhernaturallybymarriageliketraditionalwomen,shelearnstostandonherownfeetandmanagestofindafootholdstronglyandindependentlyfarbeyondexpectationinfiercemale-dominatedpatriarchalsociety.Indeedhersuccessexcelsmostmeninworkforce.36 A．GainingIndependencefromFamilyWhenCarrieturnsto18,shechoosestoearnherlivinginaprospercityinsteadofsettlinginasmall,dulltown.Althoughthereis“agushoftearsathermother’sfarewellkiss,atouchinherthroatwhenthecarcrashedbyflourmillwhereherfatherworkedbyday”,Sheleaveshomewithacheapbag,asmalllunchinapaperbox,andayellowleathersnappurse,containingherticket,sister’saddressandfourdollarsinmoney.Shegetsindependentfromherparentsbothfinanciallyandpsychologically.ShestepsoutofhersisterMinnie’sapartmenttoseekjobonarrivalandpaysforaccommodationwith4dollarsaweekfrom4.5dollarspay.Althoughbeingturneddownfor4times,shemanagestofindajobinashoefactory.Afterfindingajob,shefeelsthatlifeisbetter,thatitislivelier,sprightlier.Sheboardsacarinthebestofspirits,feelingherbloodstillflowingpleasantly.ShemakesuphermindtoliveinChicagomoreresolutely.Hernatureofinnocenceandinexperienceoflifemisleadshertothinkthatthismoneyclearedforitsprospectivepossessorthewaytoeveryjobandeverybaublewhichtheheartofwomanmaydesire.Duringwork,Carriefiguresatoncethatanaveragespeedwasnecessaryortheworkwouldpileuponherandallthosebelowwouldbedelayed.Shehasnotimetolookaboutandbentanxiouslytohertask.“Shebarelyhastimetostandupandstretchlegs.Herneckandshouldersachesinbendingover.Theplacesmellsoftheoilofthemachinesandnewleather,addingtostaleofthebuilding.”(100)Thefloorpresentsalitteredsurface.Frivolousandtoil-stainedboyspokesconspicuousflirtonher.Whenshelosesjob,herobedientsisterandindifferentandmeansister-in-lawtrytopersuadehertoreturnhomefortheirownsake.Butsherefusestoyieldtoenvironmentcompulsion.Byaccidentduringjob-hunting,shemeetsDrouettowhomsheisattractedbecauseofhercrudeunderlyingbeauty.KnowingaboutCarrie’sunemploymentanddilemmainsister’shouse,DrouetoffersCarrie2shining36 greenbackandseduceshertoliveinhisapartmenttemporarilyduringhisbusinesstrip.Outofdesperate,CarriefallsuponDrouet’swarminvitationandagreestoliveinhisapartmentforawhilewithoutinforminghersisterofherleaving.Intheprocess,Carriegainsindependencefromfamilymembers.Asamatteroffact,Carriedoesnotreceivehelpfromsisterinthefirstplace.CarriesensesimmediatelythathersisterMinnieandsister-in-lawlivesanarrowandleanlife.Theyliveinanarrowapartmentwithababy.Ontheonehand,Hansonisemployedasacleanerofrefrigeratorcarswithpoorwage.Hislifeiswrappedupinatrilogy-gettingupprettyearlyinthemorning,readingnewspapersilentlybeforedinnerandsleep,trickinghisbelovedbabythatseemstobetheonlythingthat”makesapleasantsideofhislife”.TheonlythingaboutCarriethatdrawshisattentioniswhetherCarriehasajobtopayfortheboardandhebecomessilenceeverytimeitcomestoexpenditureonentertainment.HeholdsindifferentattitudetowardsCarrie’spresenceorabsence,nottomentionlendinghelptoCarrie.Repressedbypoverty,Hanson’slifeisrepletewithmonotonyanddullnessandhisfamilyisscarcelypaidvisittobyfriends,relativesorcolleagues.Ontheotherhand,MinnieisthereplicaofHanson,withideasoflifecoloredbyherhusband.“MinniehadinvitedCarrie,notbecauseshelongedforherpresence,butbecausethelatterwasdissatisfiedathome,andcouldprobablygetworkandpayherboardhere”.ItistheboardpaythatMinniecaresaboutinsteadofsister’swell-beinginChicago.SowhenthereisnotmoneytheycanpossibleflowintoCarrie’spursefromsisterafterlosingjobintheshoemakingcompany.Asamatteroffact,MinniesideswithHansoninthematterofpersuadingCarrietoreturnhometogetthroughwinter,whichindirectlyresultsinCarrie’sdependenceonDrouet.B.GainingIndependencefromLoversSisterCarrienaivelyputsherstakesontwomen,firstDrouetthenHurstwood.Whilethisprovedtonoavail,shestartsstrivingbyherown.36 Althoughfascinatedbygreatbuildings,exuberantparks,shadyboulevards,theater,finehousesintroducedbyDrouet,thereisalittleacheinherfancyofallthedescribed.Herinsignificanceinthepresenceofsomuchmagnificencefaintlyaffectesher.Duetodisabilitytotelldifferencebetweentruthandlies,insufficiencyinsocialexperienceandnarrowhorizonasacountrygirl,sheestimatesDrouetbyhisappearance.ImpressedwithDrouet’sexquisitedressing,fatpurseanddecentbehavior,shehassubconsciouslyacceptedthisman’ssolicitation.Sheadmiresandtrustsinthistotalstrangerandthereforeacceptshisso-calledfriendaidsoftwosoft,greenten-dollarbills,andsubsequentgorgeousclothesandcomfortableaccommodation.Itisreasonableforhertochoosethelatteronebetweenbeingdrivenhomeand“keepingsafeinahalcyonharbor”withalittlegreen-carpetedbreathingspot,good-qualityBrusselscarpet,largepier-glassmirror,asoftplush-coveredcouchandawardrobe.Drouetlovestomakeadvancestowomen,tohavethemsuccumbtohischarmsbecauseheregardsitasachiefdelight.Heisvainandboastfulanddeludedbyfineclothes.HeexchangesmaterialpossessionforCarrie’saccompanytoextravagantclothesinordertosatisfythebetters.HisgenuineattitudetowardsCarrieisvividlydepictedinthesentence“howdeliciousismyconquest”.WhenHurstwood,comparedwithwhomheismarginalinfortuneandsocialcontacts,appreciatedandadmiredhimforhavingCarrie,heispleasedandsatisfied.Besides,thereisnomutualrespectandunderstandingbetweentheirrelationships.Drouetalwaysreleasesanairofsuperiorityandarrogance.HeconstantlystaresatandpraisesstylishlydressedandbeautifulwomanfrivolouslyonstreetwithoutslightestthoughtofhisbehaviormighthurtCarrie’sfeeling.Hewatchesclosesoneverytinymovementofwomen’sfeet,chinsandwithwhatwithwhatgraceandsinuositytheyswungbodiesandfollowsthedisappearingwithhiseyes.Besides,HeistoocarelesstocomprehendCarrie’ssensibilityandkepteducatingandwoundingher.DrouetcannotheardelicacyandlonelinessinCarrie’svoiceandconsolesheroutofdepressionovertragiclife.Allinall,theybecomemoreandmoredistantandestrangedinmind,atleastwhichisthecaseinCarrie’sside.36 DrouetneverthinksaboutforgingarightedandjustifiedmarriagewithCarrie.DespiteofCarrie’spersistenceingettingmarriedliketraditionalwomen,hetrieseverymeanstoevadethetopicandpostponesmarriagedateagainandagain.HeisluckyinthefactthatopportunitytumbleintohislapinservingassaviorofCarrieinpredicament.“Withalittlemoreexperience,theslightesttideofsuccess,andhehasnotbeenabletoapproachCarrieatall”.Drouetbombardsonherbysatisfyingherdesireforfancygoodsandtakinghertoeleganttheatersandup-scaledrestaurants,whicharesymbolsofsubstantialwealthandhighsocialstatusinCarrie’spointofviewandexactlywhatCarriehasbeenlongingandstrugglingfor.Asagreencountrygirlwholacksschooleducationandprofessionaltraining,sheloseshopeinfindinganewjob.ShepaysforhermaterialdesirebybeingDrouer’stemporaryprivatedolltoexpellonelinessandbragasatrophydeprivedofphysicalandmentalfreewill.DrouetviewsCarrieashispersonalbelonginganditemstoshowoffandwindignityandhonorinhighsocialclass,whichexplainswhyheinsistsininvitingHurstwood.Hurstwood,managerofagorgeoussaloonfromaChicagostandpoint,iswellestablishedinaneathouseandanindividualofAmericanupperclass-thefirstgradebelowtheluxuriouslyrich.Heisshrewd,cleverandprofessionallytactful.DuringCarrie’scontactwithHurstwood,whoisasophisticatedandtactfulmarriedmantoamiddleclassladyandengagesinperennialargumentswithhisvainandself-conceitedwifethen,CarrieobserveshisadvantagesoverDrouetinwealth,socialclassandmanner.InCarrie’seyes,HurstwoodisclevererthanDrouetinahundredways,forexample,heisnotoverawedandoverboldandpossessedmild,placidandassuredtemperament.HispatentclothesareelegantinmaterialanddonotstriketheeyesoforciblyasDrouet’sconspicuousclothes.Mostimportantly,heisalivewiththoughtsandfeelingsconcerningCarrie.Bycontrast,Drouetisegotist,buoyant,toofullofruddylifeandtooassured.Hewillnotfeelgrievantatbreakingupwithgirls.Inconclusion,Hurstwoodisthesoulmateinthetimebeing.Carrie’smeticulousobservationandanalysisformbasisofherleavingDrouetandacceptingHurstwood’spassionatebombards.36 Inthemeantime,HurstwoodalluresanddeceivesCarriewithpassionatelovewordsandunderstandingspeechtones.CarriebecomesmistressofHurstwoodinthecircumstanceofunawaringofHurstwood’smarriage.Onceagain,shefallsintothehoneyhotbedofamanwhocannotpromisehermarriageorlifelonghappinessandabandonsphysicalandmaterialautonomy.WhenknowingaboutHurstwood’shidingthetruthofbeingmarriedfromherandexposedofloveaffairwithHurstwoodtoDrouet,Carrieresolvestoleavethemand“liveadecentandhonestlife”.ThistimeCarriecomestothevagueconsciousnessofgettingindependencefromman.WhenJulia,Hurstwood’swife,discovershisloveaffairandfilesfordivorcepaper,Hurstwoodstealssalon’smoneyandtricksCarrietofleewithhimtoMontreal.Carrieonceagainputsstakesonmanandmarriage.Theyliveextravagantlifeforawhile.SoonHurstwoodisdiscoveredbyadetectivecommissionedbysalonbossandthreatenedtoreturnmoney.Becauseofruinedreputation,Hurstwoodlosesjobasawaiterinarestaurantandcanbarelyfindanyjob.Outofdesperate,CarriefindsajobasamemberinachorussupportsHurstwoodsometimesandleaveshimintheend.Finally,shewakesupanddropsillusionofdependingonmanandmarriagetoultimatehappinessandbecomesastrongandindependentwomaninunequalpatriarchalsociety.Afterall,ajobistheonlyprotectivetalismanofwoman.AsisstatedinwomenandeconomicsbyGilman,CharlottePerkins,“Theprimaryreasonforwoman’ssecondarypositionisthatwomandependmantoraisefamily.Onlywhenwomanwalksoutoffamilycocoonandbroadenhorizon,willtheyacquireequalstatuswithman.Workingisthefundamentalwaytoself-actualization.Itbringsnotonlyhappiness,butalsohealthydevelopmentofindependentpersonality”,Carriegainsindependencefromman’scontrolandregainfreewillbyfindingavaluablejob.”1C.Anobjectivereasonforherdependence-consumeristsociety36 SocialenvironmentofcommercializationplaysanimportantroleinCarrie’sendlessdesireforcommoditiesandconsequentdependenceonmanpowertomeethermaterialneeds.Carrielivesinanindustrialandcommoditizedsocietyinwhichpeoplefindtheiridentityinitemsofconsumption.Americawitnessesindustrialerasincethefirsthalfofnineteenthcentury.Theenormousindustrialandsocialachievementspropelsocialtransition.Amongthechangesinthisperiodarethevastproductionandconsumptionofgoods,theopeningupofhugefactories,thedevelopmentofelectricityinthe1880swhichaugmentedfactoriesmorethanever,therevolutioninmasscommunication,theconstructionofrailroads,theinventionoftelephone,theincredibleriseofpopulationwiththerushingofimmigrantsintothiscountry,thetoilanddrudgeryofwomen,theappearanceof“titanicindustrialists”whoholdsgreatwealthwhichconstantlywidensthegapbetweentherichandthepoor,theremovalofruralandagriculturalareasasaresultoftheemigrationofruralpeopletothecitiesinthehopeoffindingbetterjobopportunities.After1865,railmonopolizestransportationsectorwith190thousandacres.Furthermore,manufacturevolumesurpassestheagriculture’sforthefirsttime.Carrie’scravingforpleasureissostrongthatitistheonestayofhernature.Theconsumersocietyconstantlyproducesobjectswithneedscorrespondingtothem,leadingCarrietofeelthattheyalwayslacksomething,andthisprocessexplainsthenever-endingprocessofconsumption.”2Individualsinaconsumersocietytrytodefinetheirpersonalityandsocialstatusthroughobjects.Womenareseenasactiveconsumersinsociety.ThecityisfullofenticingobjectswhichleadCarrietoambitionanddesireforluxury.ThesecommoditiesattractCarrietothemselvesallthetime,nomatterifsheisabletobuythemornot.Whensheismoneylessandsearchesforajobatadepartmentstore,sheismesmerizedby“thedaintyslippersandstockings,thedelicatelyfrilledskirtsandpetticoats,thelaces,ribbons,haircombs,purses”(Dreiser,1982,p.23)andthereisnothingtherewhichshedoesnotwanttohave.Shecanfeelthe“claimofeachtrinketandvaluableuponherpersonally”Laterinthenovel,whenshehasenoughmoneytospend,herambitionisnot36 diminishedbutintensified.Inthefollowingpassage,thewooingofCarriebycommoditiesisdescribed:Fineclothestoherwereavastpersuasion;theyspoketenderlyandJesuiticalforthemselves.Whenshecomeswithinearshotoftheirpleading,desireinherbendsawillingear.Thevoiceoftheso-calledinanimate!Whoshalltranslateusthelanguageofthestones?“Mydear,”saidthelacecollarshesecuredfromPartridge’s,“Ifityoubeautifully;don’tgivemeup.”“Ah,suchlittlefeet,”saidtheleatherofthesoftnewshoes;“howeffectivelyIcoverthem.Whatapitytheyshouldeverwantmyaid.”(106)AfterleavinghersisterandlivingwithDrouet,Carriesometimesthinksaboutwhatshehasdone.Buther“voiceofconscience”isansweredbythe“voiceofwant”(99).Shethinksthatshemayreturntoherpreviouslifeifitmeantonlyhungerandhardwork,butsuppressingherdesireforgoodclothes,shecouldnevereventhinkof(107).Thereasonforthisdependency,evenatthecostoflosinghervirtue,isthatshecomestoregardcommoditiesassignifiersofdifferentvaluessuchasbeauty,happiness,andsocialandpersonalprestige.Fromaboveanalysis,wemaycometotheconclusionthatconsumeristsocietyservesasanirresistiblemagnettoCarrie,guidesCarrietothefalseillusionuponrepresentationsofcommodityandjustifiesherdependenceonrichman.ChapterⅡFromObediencetoSelf-consciousnessTraditionalwomanimagescanbedividedinto3categories—thebeauty,familyangelandwitch.Thebeautyrepresentsman’spredicationsforbeautifulwoman,whoareoftenthecauseandtargetoffightbetweenmen,suchasHeleninGreecemythology,wholightstheflamesoftheTrojanwarformatchlessbeautyandbringsextremedestructiononthecityofTroy.Thebeautyoftenreceivesmercyandforgivenessfrommanwhensheisingreattrouble.Butintheend,shecannottakecontrolofdecision-makingprocessandbendoverman’swill.36 Thefamilyangelisdominatedandoppressedbyfather,husbandandothermalemembersinfamily.Infact,theword“family”originatedfromromanword”familus”,whichmeansslave.Beforemarriage,sheispossessionoffather.Afterforgingamarriagetie,shebecomesaslaveandnannyoffamily,freefrompersonalwillanddecisionmaking.Sheispuppetofhusband,wholosesgripsofherowndestinyandhasnosayinfamily.Shemeasuresherbehavioronthebasisoftraditionalvaluegaugeandmakesadjustmentaccordingly.Inancientchina,almostallyoungwomenarebetrothedormayevenbeforcedtomarryaparticularmanchosenbyherfather.Purityiswhatmostprecioustoanunmarriedwoman.Ifunfortunatelyherhusbanddies,sheneedkeepherchastityfromanothermanandstaysawidowuntildeath.Thissuperstitionanddogmatismisstrictlystipulatedandenforcedbylaw.TakeQingDynastyforinstance,awidowismercilesslyexecutedevenifitisthemanwhotakesinitiativeinflirtingwithher.Thethirdtypeiswitch,whoisoutcomeofman’soppressiontoacertaindegreeandfightsforherinterestbyextrememeanscruellyandbrutally.Sheshowsdistortedpsychologyanddeformedpersonality.TakeMedeainGreekmythologyforinstance,sheistragicfigurewithdistortedlovethatoutweighshusband’sneedsaboveeverythingelseevenifsituationcompelshertokillbrother,andtwochildren.In1950s,AbrahamMaslow’shierarchyofneedexplainshumans’innatemotivationtopursuethingsinhigherlevel,includingphysiologicalneeds,safetyneeds,loveandbelonging,esteemandself-actualization.Oncelower-levelneedsarefulfilled,humandesireoftendirectshimtoaspirehigher-levelneeds.Thetheorybeginswithphysiologicalneedswhicharebasicrequirementsforhumansurvival,likefood,waterandshelter.Oncethisneedismet,humandesireclimbstoahighneedof“safetyneed”.Safetyneedscomprisepersonalsecurity,financialsecurity,healthandwell-being.Loveandbelongingcanimpacttheindividual'sabilitytoformandmaintainemotionallysignificantrelationshipsingeneral.Thesummitisself-actualization,whichreferstofulfillmentofpotential.Carrieisalwaysnotsatisfiedwithwhatisendowed.HerdreamsisrealizedwhensheliveswithDrouet.Butaftersheseesspectacularbuildingswithgardens,36 illusionsaboutimperialpalacesinchildhoodcomestohermind.Staringatbeautifulvillasthroughthewindow,shedoesnothavethedesiretoeat.Now,shecravesformoredignifiedandhonorablehouseInNewYork,watchingtheunhiddengloomandtaciturnofHurstwood,shefeelsregretfulformakingamistakeofmarryinghim.ThereringsafinancialalarmwhenHurstwoodproposestoliveinasmallerflatalongwithdissolutionofHurstwood’sbusiness.Meanwhile,HurstwoodbroodsaboutwhatforcehasledtohisdifficultyandmaintainsthatCarriedoesnotdeservehissacrifice.Handicappedbyoldageanddeprivedofenthusiasm,Hurstwoodfailstofindajob.LosingHurstwood’sfinancialsupport,Carriebravelymanagestofindajobasamemberinachorus.ThescoldandrebukeofmanageroverthrowsthedelightofshakingofffinancialstressimposedonherbyHurstwood.A.BeautyAwarenessWhenboardingontrainat18,sheisprettywiththeinsipidprettinessoftheformativeperiodandstillcrudeintheintuitivegraces.Shecanscarcelytossherheadgracefully.Herhandsarealmostineffectual.Thefeet,thoughsmall,aresetflatly.“Butyetsheisinterestedinhercharms,venturingtoexplorethemysteriouscityanddreamingwilddreamsofsomevague,far-offsupremacy,ambitioustogaininmaterialthings.”3Still,Drouetrecognizestheindescribablethingsthatmadeupforfascinationandbeautyinher.SisterCarrieispossessedofamindrudimentaryinitspowerofobservationandanalysis.SheisfascinatedwithDrouet’sfashionablesuit,enduringrings,neatgoldwatchchainandtanpolishedshoes.Bycomparison,herownplainbluedressandwornstateofshoesseemsshabbytoher.Carriehasaninstinctivetalentforsensitiveobservation,analysisandimitation.WhenDrouetwarnshertonoticeagracefulwoman,CarrieeithercheerfullyforgesasuggestionofdefectoracceptsDrouet’sinstructionaffablyandintimatesgrace.After36 repeatedadmiration,Carriegatherslogicforbeautyandgetsthehangofthelittlethingswhichprettyandvainwomanhasinvariablyadopted.ThustheprimarydefectsofdressandmannershavepassedandshehasgraduallygrownintoaprettyandgracefulgirlofconsiderabletasteandwinsnoticeandcommendationfromDrouet.InNewYork,sheacceptsjoyfullyMrsVance’sintentionalapproach.MrsVancehasfancierclothesandaccessorieswhichCarriedoesnotpossess.WalkingdownBroadwaywithher,Carrieisstunnedbytheshowyparadeofprettyfacesandfineclothes.Undoubtedly,CarriehasaccidentallyescapedintoabiggerandfancierpoolthanChicago.Shebeginstobuildenticingimaginationandexpendingdemandsinherrockingchair,justlikewhatshedoeswhensheisinDrouet’shouse.TheaterfadescomparedwithallpleasuresinPlazaSquareandFifthAvenue.Turningpointunvailswhenhercareerstartstogouphill.Shecareslessforfashionandnolongerthinksoftheeleganceofcreaturespassingher.Shenolongerenviesotherwomenfortheirclothes,theirjewelryandcollectionsofexpensivepossession.Herworldviewturnsupsidedown.Rather,“peaceandbeauty”arewhatshestrivesfor.B.TalentAwarenessAsastitcher,Carrieperformsrepeatedandmonotonouswork,wherethereisnosuchthingasnoveltyandcreativity.Carriepossessesaninmatetasteforimitationandnosmalldramaticabilityinrecreatingfacialexpressionandmodulatingvoiceafterconventionalmannerofdistressedheroine.WhensheisaskedbyDrouettoplayapartinafamousplay-UndertheGaslightbychance,shehasamixedfeelingofradiantandenthusiasticrejoicetogetonstageandfearfulnessofherpossibleterribleperformance.Inthefirstrehearsal,Carrieleavesagoodimpressionondirector.Thedirectorcomments:“shegotmoregumptionthananyoneI’veseen”.Despiteofattendees’lowexpectationtowardstheplayandHurstwood’sassumptionoftheplayas36 worthless,Carrie’sperformanceprovestobeagreatsuccess.Atfirst,sheisnervousandstrainsthepatienceofaudience.Thensheexpelsnervousnessandbeginstothinkintocharacter’ssituationandmoveswithasteadygrace.Shedrawsuponaudience,handsomeandproud,shiftingwiththenecessityofsituation,toacold,white,helplessobject.TheplaywinsapplauseoftheaudienceowingtoCarrie’sextraordinarilygoodperformance.Whensheauditionsforaballet,sheisspottedbymanagerforheruniquebeautyandaskedtosnap,whenshewinspraiseofmanagerforknowinghowtocarryherselftorightpoint.Therefore,sheisplacedattheheadofthewhitecolumn.Shewinslaughterofaudience.Everyoneinthecompanyrealizesthatshehasgotastart.Timidassheis,shehasstrongcapability.Seeingtheportraitsofprettystarsonnewspapersandmagazines,desirefornoticetakesholdofherandshelongstoberenownedlikeothers.Forthefirsttime,Carriefindsherpurseburstingwithgoodgreenbillsofcomfortabledenominationssheherselfearnswithherownhands.Ittakesherbreathwhenseeingherpictureappearinginoneoftheweeklies.Shegetsasilentrolebutholdsattentionandapplausesincethemomentsheappears.Suddenly,shebecomesastirovernightasMrsMadenda.Togetherwithdeferenceandcongratulation,sheisnolongerorderedbutpolitelyrequested.Shegetssplendidandhandsomepayasshehasdreamedof.Finally,sheearnsunshakablepositioninfiercecompetitionwithbothexteriorappearanceandinnerresolution.A.FrompassiveacceptancetoactivepursuitItisunderauspiciouscircumstancesofspeculatingthingsgooninadimkindofwayuntilthebettereventuatethatCarriestaredouttolookforwork.Shelackscourageandfeltasenseofhelpless.Shefeelsacertainindefinableshameofbeingcaughtspyingaboutforaposition.ShedaresnottoenterintoStormandKing.Afterbeingturneddownabruptlyinaclothingcompany,shewalksquiteaimlesslyandfinsnocouragetoprosecutehersingleinquiryonpositionavailable.36 Afterseveraltimesoffailure,sheresilientlymanagestorestorecouragefromashortgentleman’skindsuggestionoftryingdepartmentstores.Despiteofdissatisfiedwithpoorwage’sblowtoCarrie’sfancyandgrimyworkingcondition,sheacceptstheofferasastitcher.Differentfromhardenedworkinggirlsinthefactorywhosettledinthejob,shefeelsashamedinthefaceofbetterdressedgirls.Shefeelsasthoughsheshouldbebetterserved,andherheartrevolted.“Preoccupiedwithcooking,scrubbingthekitchenwood-workandcalculatingthepurchasingpowerofeightycentsforSunday’sdinner,sewingandbabysitting,MinniehaschangedconsiderablysinceCarriehadseenher.”4Sheisatypicaldomesticatedwomanwhoabidesbytraditionalvaluestandardsofwomanbeingfrugal,reservedandthrift.Thoughwomanoftwenty-seven,Sheisnowathin,thoughrugged,withideasoflifecoloredbyherhusband’s,andfasthardeningintonarrowerconceptionsofpleasureandduty.Amidallthemaze,uproar,andnovelty,shefeelscoldrealitytakingbythehand.Noworldoflightandmerriment.Noroundofamusement.Carrieresiststraditionalworkingclasswoman’sdestinyoftakingcareoffamilywithoutservantorbabysitter.Shegoestostreetandobservestwinklinglightsandfinehousesdownfloor,asymbolofrebellionagainstfamilyconfinement.WhenDrouetlendsher20dollars,sheloses“honestdesiretofindemployment”.She“couldnotholdthemoneyinherhandwithoutfeelingsomerelief.Evenafterallherdepressingconclusions,shecouldsweepawayallthoughtaboutthematterandthenthetwentydollarsseemedawonderfulanddelightfulthing.”Shenowregardsmoneyaspanaceatoclearawayalltroubles.WhentakingthemoneyendowedbyDrouettobuyanewcoat,sheseestheearrings,thebracelets,thepins,thechains,andmadeexclamationof“whatwouldshenothavegivenifshecouldhavehadthemall!”shehadherheartfixeduponthepeculiartanjacket.Shefeelsashamedofgettingmoneywithoutworkandresolvestoreturnthemoneyatthesametime.ButwhenCarriewalkswithhim,thewholefabricofdoubtandimpossibilityhasslippedfromhermind.36 Inrestaurant,likeallwomen,sheistheretoobjectandbeconvinced.ItisforDrouettobrushdoubtsawayandclearthepathwithareasonableexcuseandpromisetotakegoodcareofCarrie.CarriepassivelylistenstoandagreedinventivelyonthefeasibleschemeDrouetproposed.Infact,Carrie’sconscienceoftraditionalvirtuesanddesireforpleasureoftenstruggles.Therearetwovoicesarguing,oneholds”lookatthosewhoaregood.Howwouldtheyscorntodowhatyouhavedone.Lookatthegoodgirls;howwilltheydrawawayfromsuchasyouwhentheyknowyouhavebeenweak.”theothersays”therewasalwaystheDecemberdaysthreatened.Shewasalone,shewasdesireful,shewasfearfulofthewhistlingwind.”sowhenclimbingsocialladders,Carrieistotallyawareofheractionsandexhibitstrongmindandfreewill.WhenHurstwoodpursuesCarrie,hetriestoarousethegirl’ssympathyandpitybypouringout”youdon’tknowhowmuchIneedsomeonetowastealittleaffectiononme.Thereisnothinginmylifethatispleasantordelightful.”Hurstwood’sdescriptivewoestrikeschordwithCarrie’ssituation.Unabletojudgeonwhatisrightandjust,Carrieacceptshiswarmfeelingasagratefulblazetoherowncoldnessanddissatisfactionwithlife.Afterall,Carrieisinfluencedbywoman’snaturetoseekman’sprotectionandattentionandcarriedwithvestigeoftraditionalfemininevaluesofaffiliationtoman.Infact,Hurstwoodisaslyman.Atfirst,totestCarrie’sresponsetohiswoo,hetentativelyslippshisarmaroundCarrie’swaist.Feelingnoresistence,hedrawsnearherlipsandfinallypresseshislipstoherown.Hetakestheprocessunderhistotalcontrol.Carriejustacceptspassively.Theirrelationshipbeginswithoutslightesthintsandindicationoffaithfulmarriage.Hehasonlyathoughtofpleasurewithoutresponsibility.Ashebroodingandcalculating,Carrie’sloveonlyaddspleasuretohissecurepositionanduntrammeledhome-life.HisaffectionforCarriecorrespondswithhisboredomanddisgustforJulia’svanityandincreasingtensionandargumentsbetweenthem.WhenCarrietellshimaboutherdeceptionandguiltuponDrouet,heresponseswith”wewillfixitsothatyouwon’thavetodeceiveanyone”,resultinginCarrie’sillusionthat36 heisgoingtomarryheratonce,“butHurstwoodistooclevertoabandonhispositionandhomeforatemporarysourceofjoy.HehypocriticallyagreesuponCarrie’spropositionofgettingmarriedassoonasreachinganotherendofjourney,indeedmarriageclausedoesdwellinhismind,”5heisthinkingwithaffectionthattherecouldbenobartohiseventualhappinesssinceCarrieletsherguardsdown.CarriedoesnotgiveupaskingHurstwoodtomarryherandobjectsHurstwood’sideaofremaininginChicago.Carrieincreasesinvalueinhiseyesbecauseofherobjectionandherunyieldinganddeterminedcharacterwhichdifferentiateherfromotherweakandfrailwomen.Carriegainstheupperhandindecision-makingabouttheirfuturelivingcityandfreewillexpressionintheprocessofcontactingwithHurstwood,differentfromthepassivegirlwhoyieldstoandstickstoDrouet’ssolutionforhertrouble.WhenHurstwoodcannotfindajobandpayforfamilyexpenditure,Carriesupportshimgenerously.Bysharpcontrast,Hurstwoodstaysathomeidly.WhenHurstwoodproposestomovetoasmallerapartment,Carrierevoltsforthefirsttime.ThenCarriemovesouttolivewithacolleagueatthethoughtofmaycanchangefromflatterytoindifferenceandfailher.ReflectingonDrouetbefore,shefeltashamedofherconduct.Atwork,shebravelytrieswhatisrequiredbymanagerandbecomesfamousovernightbecauseshehasnothingtofearandtremblefor.Inconclusion,CarriehasnosayinherrelationshipwithHurstwoodandDrouet.Sheisconsideredinferiorandoftenneglectedforherindependence.Gradually,whenshehasnobodytorelyon,sheactivelypursuewhatshewantsandbecomessomebody.36 ConclusionSisterCarrieisthefirstnovelofThodoreDreiser,whichtellsthestoryofhowapoorandinnocentcountrygirltransformsintoawomanwithbothgreatfortuneandfame.WhenCarrieboardsthetrainforChicago,shepossessesnothingbutafewdollars,rudimentarypowerofobservationandanalysisandinsipidprettiness.Youngandinexperienced,shesettlesinhersisterMinnie’snarrowapartmentandmanagestofindajobinashoefactory.InChicago,whichisundergoingindustrialrevolution,shefeltself-abasedforbeingunabletobuygorgeousclothesandlonelyforpeculiarindifferenceofhersister-in-lawHanson,whoisaworkerwithlowwageandnotbeingabletogetaccustomedtothoseabominableworkingcondition.Sheisopentovarioustemptations.Inadvertently,shereencountersthedrummerDrouetandpassivelyacceptsherfriendsaidandmovesinwithhim.Shelivesacozyandcomfortablelifewithhim.Influencedbyconsumeristsociety,sheexhibitsgreatdesireforgorgeousclothes,luxuriousrestaurantsandplaysintheater.UnabletoabandonthecomparativelysecureandsatisfactorylifeofferedbyDrouet,shebecomesaprivatedollofhim.Asamatteroffact,Drouetdoesnotwanttomarryherinthefirstplace.ThenshewasintroducedtoHurstwood,whoholdsamanagerialpositioninatoprestaurantinChicagoandwinsCarrie’sadmirationforbeingmoregentleandunderstandingandCarrieelopeswithtoNewYorklater.InNewYork,owingtobadluckandinability,Hurstwoodfailstomaintaintheluxuriouslife.Carrieonceagainisthreatenedbypoverty.Outofdesperation,shestepsoutbravelyandconfidentlyandfinallybecomesafamousstar.Experiencingebbsandflowinlife,Carriebecomesamature,independentandsagaciouswoman,whoearnseverypennywithherownwisdomandtalent.Onthecontrary,gettingawayfromoriginalsocialsoilinChicago,Hurstwoodgoesdownhillandfinally36 resortstosuicide.Drivenbydesireforabetterliving,Carrietendstorelyonhonestlaboratfirst,whenshehasnoknowledgeofherpotentialandtalentandholdsnotionsandideologyoftraditionwoman.ThenshemeetsDrouetandHurstwoodandtherespringsideasoflivingastable,secureandrelativelyaffluentlifebygettingmarried.Whereas,Douetdisappointsherforlackingunderstandingandrefusingtomarryherbutinthemeantime,herouterappearancerefinesandoutshinestogetherwithherperformancetalentowingtohermelancholicnatureandabilitytoobserve,analyzeandimitate,whichlaysfoundationforherlaterachievement.Ontheotherhand,HurstwoodcannotfindajobinNewYorkandmaintainthefancymarriage.Finallyshecomestotheawakeningthatshemustdependonherselftoliveahappylife.Bychance,shefindsajobasanactress.Throughhardwork,shebecomesafamousstarinBroadway.Shebeginstopursuespiritualsatisfactioninartandrefinedbeauty.ItisunfairtosaythatCarrieisafallenwoman.Afterall,sherisestogreatfortunebypurehardworkintheend.Sherebuildsherselfinauniquewayinthesocietycrammedwithcommodityandinterpersonalindifference.Sheabandonssocialdemandsforwomenbeingfrugalandfamily-centered.Sheascendstosuccessbyaseriesofventures.HerillusionoftransformingfromCinderellatohonorableswansmashes.DrouetandHurstwoodbothcheatheranddisappointher.Winningeconomicindependenceandstartingacareerisapivotalstepinherlife.Afterachievingeconomicexcellence,shecomestorealizingformersuperficialityandtakesawarenesstothenextlevel-pursuitofart,ofbeauty.ItisundeniablethatCarrieoccupiestheoppositepoleofgenteelwoman.Shechallengessocialnormoffemalebondingwithdomesticlifeandconfrontstraditionalvalueofwomanbeingdivinetowardssex.Inreality,Carrie’sdistinctionoriginatesfromherdeviantchoicesandbehaviors.Beingdeviantfromsister,shehasanti-traditionalrelationshipwithmeninhersteppingladderfromthebottomtoahighersocialstatus.Sheistherepresentationofanewfeminine,whoearnsfinancialindependence,thusdominatinglifepathwithfreewillandawareofherownbeautyandtalent.Imaginethatshewalksdowntheaislewithareliableandhonestman,and36 shehappenstobeeasytosatisfy,shemayneverrisesfromapoorcountrygirltoanadmirablecitydweller,nottomentionacareerwoman.Shestrugglestoexistencealthoughdoubleattackedbybothpatriarchalsocietyandcapitalistoppression.Sheistreatednicelybybothman,butwhichshouldnotconcealthefactthattheyregardherasapersonalpropertyandbynomeansirreplaceablebecauseoffinancialaffiliation.Inconsumeristsociety,moneyisakeymeasurementofsocialstatus.Peopleheavilyworshipmoneybecauseofitsfunctionofbringingmaterialsatisfactionandrespect.StudyofSisterCarriehaspracticalsignificance.Nowadays,moreandmoregirlsgettrappedintheweirdcircleofdreamingaboutseekingshelteranddependencefromman.Someevenbecomesamistresstoarichmarriedmantoliveahappylife.Temporarily,theyenjoyluxuriouslifebypurchasingbrandedclothesandaccessories.Butbeautyfadesliketidewithages.Finally,withnoexception,theso-calledbackerfindsanewpreyanddesertedthemwithoutanyhesitation.Asawoman,whoisrelativelyweakerthanmanphysically,onlywithherowneffort,canshelivealifeatherfreewill.Temporaryhappinessandaffluencewithmancannotsecureperpetualhappiness,inwhichcircumstance,sheissubordinatedtohusbandandgetdominated.Happinessisearnedbyoneself,notgivenbyexteriorforces.AsispresentedbyCarrie’sexperience,moneyandmaterialpossessioncannotbuyhappiness.Spiritualsatisfactionshouldbetheultimateandsupremeaspirationandmorevaluablethanthepleasureofmaterialachievements.36 Notes:1.Gilman,CharlottePerkins,womenandeconomics(London:Routledge,1971)422.2.Beauvoir,Simone.TheSecondsex.(NewYork:AlfredA.Knopf.Inc,1953)211.3.TangYi. Beautyandsuccess.(Sichuan:SichuanUniversity,2004)101.4.Susman,Warren.Cultureashistory:theTransformationofAmericanSocietyinTwentiethCentury.(NewYork:PantheonBooks,1984)575.DonaldPizer,NewEssaysonSisterCarrie.(Cambridge:CambridgeUni2versityPress,2007)6436 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