Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Sister Carrie, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Urban Life and Decay
Morality and Instinct
Wealth and Class
Summary
Analysis
Hurstwood experiences a new, profound agitation with regards to Carrie and Drouet, tortured by the thought of his lover being held by another man. He begins to think about taking Carrie away in “an arrangement which would dispose of Drouet effectually and forever.”
Hurstwood no longer views Carrie as his mistress and a mere source for pleasure—he views her as his love, someone whom he wants as his exclusive partner. Because of this new passion, Hurstwood develops antipathy for Drouet where he previously only felt indifference.
Themes
Hurstwood barely pays any attention to his family at breakfast. Mrs. Hurstwood snaps at the new servant, which irritates Hurstwood. She then asks Hurstwood about planning the annual family vacation and he replies that he is busy. The conversation escalates into an argument, as Hurstwood is irritated that his wife has so many requests and Mrs. Hurstwood is irritated that Hurstwood doesn’t immediately comply with her requests. Mrs. Hurstwood replies that the family will vacation without him. Breakfast ends on a sour note.
Mrs. Hurstwood, given her penchant for dismissing servants, is not a patient woman. It can only be expected that given Hurstwood’s lack of attention, she is troubled and short-tempered with him. Hurstwood no longer agrees to his wife’s requests as he did before—a shift has happened within him. He no longer views it necessary to maintain his household: he will, presumably, soon abandon it.
Themes
Mrs. Hurstwood had not been expecting such an argument. She was “a little out of sorts” because attending the races had proved a rather unsuccessful affair with regards to finding Jessica a suitor. Her husband’s inattentiveness leads Mrs. Hurstwood to decide that “she would have more lady-like treatment or she would know why.” On the other hand, Hurstwood thinks all the more about meeting Carrie: “she must and should be his.”
Mrs. Hurstwood did not realize the extent of Hurstwood’s disinterest until this argument. Rather than showing fear or deference towards her husband, she becomes more demanding. Hurstwood’s resent for his wife grows with his affection for Carrie, as the difference between the two women is simply too great to be ignored.
Themes
Carrie has been in “a world of fancy and feeling” since leaving Hurstwood the night before. This feeling is mostly regarding her own performance, however, as she feels that Hurstwood’s affections are a “a delightful background to her own achievement.” Carrie also feels that she now has the upper hand in her relationships—she is now a “[dispenser] of charity.”
Carrie does not love Hurstwood as passionately as he does her—he is merely a nice addition to her own success. From this, readers can gather that Carrie values her vocation more than her relationship with her lover. She enjoys the feeling of power that being a performer gives her, and prefers being powerful over being a dependent.
Themes
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Drouet feels that he needs to rebuild his relationship with Carrie and brings up the idea of marrying after closing a deal. Carrie jokingly replies that he won’t marry her. Carrie’s joking tone leads Drouet to realize that she is no longer “helpless” and dependent upon him. He feels that something is going to happen. Drouet then departs for work and Carrie leaves shortly after to meet Hurstwood.
Drouet sees new value in Carrie after her performance on stage—she is a woman to be desired, acquired, and treasured. He salesman also realizes that Carrie is no longer the dependent young woman whom he rescued from the streets of Chicago. She now possesses to the foundational capabilities and knowledge for living on her own.
Themes
Drouet returns to the house to pick up some forgotten bills and finds only the chambermaid, who tells him Carrie has gone out. Drouet and the chambermaid chat rather flirtatiously before she casually remarks that Hurstwood had called “more than half a dozen times” on Carrie while Drouet was on business. Drouet then begins to doubt Carrie’s fidelity.
Drouet, despite his newfound commitment to marry Carrie, cannot help but be a dandy. This appears to be an irreparable fault in him. However, he is also good-natured enough not to suspect an affair until the chambermaid effectively tells him that Hurstwood has been frequently visiting Carrie while he is away.
Themes
Drouet heads out and encounters the chambermaid again. He asks her more regarding Hurstwood’s visits and learns that sometimes Hurstwood spends evenings with Carrie. Through all this, he is “yet not wholly unconscious of the fact that he was making a most excellent impression upon the chambermaid.” Feeling that he had been “unduly wronged,” Drouet vows to find out if he has been betrayed.
Drouet still remains uncertain as to whether an affair has really transpired. He is too innocent and kind to believe that his friend and his lover would do such a thing behind his back. Drouet’s ignorance and uncertainty also demonstrates an overestimation of Carrie’s esteem for him—he still believes her to respect and have affection for him.
Themes
