Sister Carrie

Sister Carrie

by

Theodore Dreiser

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Sister Carrie: Chapter 12 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Mrs. Hurstwood is “cold,” “self-centered,” and guarded—she never reveals her thoughts. Hurstwood senses this in his wife on some level, but does not let himself acknowledge it. The two generally lived together peacefully. He is not afraid of her, and she still takes “a faint pride in him” because he allows her to maintain her lifestyle and social status. Still, Hurstwood is careful around her, as “he [cannot] be sure of anything once she bec[omes] dissatisfied.”
Mrs. Hurstwood’s coldness toward Hurstwood recalls Hanson’s coldness toward Carrie. Hurstwood does not find warmth in his home life just as Carrie did not find warmth at Minnie and Hanson’s apartment. However, Hurstwood is not dependent on his wife as Carrie was dependent on Hanson and Minnie. Consequently, he avoids conflict not out of deference, but out of a desire to avoid trouble.
Themes
Morality and Instinct Theme Icon
On the night that Hurstwood attended the theater with Drouet and Carrie, his son, George Jr., also happened to be there. Hurstwood did not see his son, but George saw his father. The morning after, at breakfast, George makes a remark about seeing his father at the theater, raising Mrs. Hurstwood’s suspicion. She asks Hurstwood what he saw and who he was with, and Hurstwood answers honestly. The narrator notes that because of the nature of Hurstwood’s job, his wife typically does not question his social movements. However, Hurstwood has lately used his work as an excuse to avoid going out with his wife—this is the explanation he gave about “the very evening in question only the morning before.” Hurstwood relates to her that he simply “couldn’t help the interruption” and “made up for it afterward by working until two.”
Hurstwood and George did not know that they were attending the same show, indicating that father and son are not particularly close. Hurstwood’s honesty shows that he does not believe himself to have done anything wrong. However, Mrs. Hurstwood is still dissatisfied. Although the love between the Hurstwood couple has long gone, Mrs. Hurstwood still expects Hurstwood to make a show that that they have a loving relationship. Evidently, Mrs. Hurstwood has a strong sense of pride and believes in the importance of keeping up pretense for the public, but Hurstwood does not seem as interested in their public image.
Themes
Morality and Instinct Theme Icon
Wealth and Class Theme Icon
Hurstwood’s excuse “[settles] the discussion for the time being, but there [is] a residue of opinion which [is] not satisfactory.” Hurstwood feels that her claims were “unsatisfactorily pushed.” For years, his affection for her has been waning and her company is always “dull.” After meeting Carrie, Hurstwood finds his wife all the more “irksome.” However, Mrs. Hurstwood is still intent on having “a complete fulfillment of the letter of their relationship, though the spirit might be wanting.”
Mrs. Hurstwood appears very unattractive next to Carrie. Although both women desire fine clothes and luxury, Mrs. Hurstwood’s frankness on the subject, obvious disdain for the less fortunate, and sense of entitlement cuts her a more vulgar figure than Carrie. The relationship between Hurstwood and his wife was evidently crumbling before Carrie ever entered the picture—meeting Carrie has simply allowed Hurstwood to notice this crumbling relationship in a newer, harsher light.
Themes
Morality and Instinct Theme Icon
Wealth and Class Theme Icon
Mrs. Hurstwood tells Hurstwood to accompany her on a visit to Mr. Phillips and his wife. Hurstwood grudgingly agrees with “short grace,” thinking that he ought “not to bothered fooling around with visitors when [he] has work to do.” A short while later, Mrs. Hurstwood asks for his accompaniment to a matinée, an invitation that Hurstwood declines. Overall, “the feeling of mutual antagonism [is] increased” between husband and wife. At the same time, Hurstwood’s interest in Carrie grows.
Mrs. Hurstwood does not appear to like Hurstwood very much either. She remains attached to Hurstwood only to use him as an accessory—to flaunt her successful, “loving” husband in front of acquaintances. On the other hand, Hurstwood does not seem to think flaunting his wife necessary. This difference in opinion, coupled with Hurstwood’s interest in Carrie, creates a rift between the couple.
Themes
Morality and Instinct Theme Icon
Wealth and Class Theme Icon
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At this point in time, Carrie has “the aptitude of the struggler who seeks emancipation.” Under Mrs. Hale’s tutelage, Carrie learns the distinction “between degrees of wealth.” Mrs. Hale enjoys driving in wealthy neighborhoods to look at houses she cannot afford. One afternoon, she invites Carrie to take a drive with her. On this drive, Carrie feels drawn to all the wealth she sees, and upon arriving back at her own rooms, notices that they look meager by comparison. Carrie perceives that there is a bigger, more cosmopolitan life than that which she shares with Drouet. She feels “as if all her state [is] one of loneliness and forsakenness.”
Mrs. Hale shows Carrie that though Carrie is wealthy compared to the shop girls and workers in factories, she is still quite a long way from belonging to the upper class. Drouet is comfortable, but hardly wealthy. Carrie’s desire for wealth evolves under the influence of Mrs. Hale: where she once wanted fine clothes and accessories, she now longs for the great houses in wealthy neighborhoods. Carrie realizes that there is more to the city than she had previously known possible and begins to dream of improvement as she did while living with Minnie and Hanson.
Themes
Wealth and Class Theme Icon
Literary Devices
A servant arrives and tells Carrie that Hurstwood has come to visit. Carrie assumes that Hurstwood does not know Drouet is out of town. Carrie has seen little of Hurstwood during the winter but was “constantly in mind of him by one thing and another, principally by the strong impression he had made.” Carrie goes to see Hurstwood, and tells him Drouet is out of town, but Hurstwood does not mind. He entertains Carrie with “general topics” of interest. Carrie notices the surprising ease with which Hurstwood conducts a conversation and takes pleasure in all he says. Carrie “could not shut out the consciousness of his individuality and presence for a moment.” Under Hurstwood’s influence, Carrie brightens up.
Hurstwood’s visit to Carrie marks his first break from decorum. He visits Drouet’s “wife” while knowing that the latter is away. It seems that Hurstwood is interested in deepening his relationship with Carrie, a decision that is, no doubt, influenced by the dreariness of his home life. Carrie reciprocates Hurstwood’s attentions, as Drouet has made life rather insufferable for her with his lack of sensitivity. These two unsatisfied figures are essentially drawn together by not just attraction, but also by loneliness.
Themes
Morality and Instinct Theme Icon
Carrie perceives that she has special feelings for Hurstwood, the likes of which she has not felt for Drouet. For Carrie, “Hurstwood’s glance [is] as effective as the spoken words of a lover, and more.” She also feels Hurstwood’s growing attraction to her. Carrie feels no distress over this, as this desire is “invisible” and carries no “tangibility.”
Carrie feels a connection with Hurstwood that never existed between her and Drouet. Nevertheless, she stops short of saying that she is in love with Hurstwood. Carrie feels no guilt in her attraction to Hurstwood, emphasizing her lack of regard for Drouet—she does not believe Drouet’s feelings to be a necessary consideration when it comes to her interactions with Hurstwood.
Themes
Morality and Instinct Theme Icon
Literary Devices
As they talk, Hurstwood remarks that Carrie is not happy, and Carrie weakly agrees. Hurstwood sees that he is “the master of the situation” and reaches out to touch her hand. Carrie jumps away, but neither runs away nor stops their meeting. Hurstwood makes reassuring statements while holding her hand. Carrie neither accepts nor rejects these advances. Hurstwood leaves and Carrie feels troubled that she is “getting terrible.” On the other hand, Hurstwood leaves feeling assured that Carrie likes him, whistling an old song all the way to his office.
Hurstwood is more experienced with life than Carrie. Furthermore, he is extremely sensitive to Carrie’s feelings. This experience and sensitivity allow Hurstwood to manipulate Carrie as he pleases, and Carrie is still too innocent to recognize this as manipulation. Hurstwood, however, does recognizes his power over Carrie—her supplication to him contrasts with his wife’s constant demands for attention. The two are dangerously close to a full-blown affair.
Themes
Morality and Instinct Theme Icon