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
Carrie continuously asks Hurstwood about Drouet’s location and injury. Hurstwood responds with only vague replies. As Hurstwood seems serious, Carrie believes him. They reach the depot and board the train to Detroit. Carrie begins to think the situation “curious” but is anxious to find out what’s wrong with Drouet.
Carrie is still innocent when it comes to outright deception. Despite knowing that Hurstwood has deceived her before, she still believes him. Furthermore, she demonstrates genuine concern for Drouet, showing that she still has affection for him, even if that affection is not romantic in nature.
Themes
Hurstwood, now sober, begins to feel the weight of his mistake. He becomes intent to reach Canada and “make the best of it.” As they travel beyond city limits, Carrie grows increasingly nervous and begins to doubt that they are going to see Drouet. To Carrie’s surprise, Hurstwood that they aren’t and declares that he wants to go to another city with her. Carrie is “appalled at the man’s audacity” and attempts to push out of the aisle. Hurstwood restrains her and tries “the art of persuasion with all his powers aroused,” telling her she cannot get off a moving train. Carrie “[seems] not to listen.” Nevertheless, she makes no move when the conductor walks by.
As Hurstwood grows sober, his capacity for reason begins to increase, leading him to realize the foolishness of his behavior. His emotional instinct is now sufficiently suppressed by logical reason, and the situation seem dangerous in this light. The fact that Carrie does not relay her situation to the conductor demonstrates that despite being appalled at Hurstwood’s second deception, she still wants to give the manager a chance to explain himself. Her decision to remain silent may also stem from a realization that there is nothing in Chicago for her anymore.
Themes
Carrie is furious at Hurstwood for his deception. Hurstwood attempts to calm her by proclaiming his love for her. Carrie thinks of his marriage; nevertheless, “there is something in such daring and power which is fascinating to a woman, especially if she can be made to feel that it is all prompted by love of her.” The moving train also leads Carrie to feel that Chicago is falling far away. Hurstwood continues to persuade Carrie to stay with him. He finally manages to slightly appease her by saying that she is free to return to Chicago if she wishes. This, for Carrie, is a “temporary amnesty.”
Carrie thrives on recognition, and the fact that Hurstwood is willing to leave his family and career behind for her is, to Carrie, a show of great recognition. After all, Carrie does not know about Hurstwood’s theft. She does not know that Hurstwood is only persuading her because he, too, has nothing left for him back in Chicago. The fact that Hurstwood and Carrie reach a “temporary amnesty” indicates that Carrie is willing to give Hurstwood a second chance in their relationship.
Themes
Hurstwood inquires after Carrie’s comfort and Carrie “[begins] to notice what she had always felt—his thoughtfulness.” Carrie starts to calm down. On the other hand, Hurstwood’s condition is “bitter in the extreme”: now that he has convinced Carrie to come with him, he dwells on his own mistakes. Hurstwood does not want the stolen money and thinks of explaining things to his superiors at the saloon.
Hurstwood is still the same, considerate man that he was in Chicago, and this helps persuade Carrie that he is worth a second chance. The fact that Hurstwood does not want the money he has stolen shows that the manager has a sense of pride as well as a sense of right and wrong. Hurstwood may be willing to deceive Carrie, but he is not willing to deceive his superiors at the saloon.
Themes
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The train arrives in Detroit and Hurstwood purchases tickets for Montreal. He is nervous, as “the police must be on his track by now.” Hurstwood appeases Carrie by telling her that she can buy all she wants as soon as they reach Canada. After being ferried over, Hurstwood feels relieved. With Carrie calm and having escaped from the police, Hurstwood begins to feel hungry and looks for the dining car.
Carrie is innocent enough to be appeased by the idea of material goods. She still has the same desire for fine clothes and accessories as before. Furthermore, she is innocent enough not to notice that Hurstwood is in a ruffled state. From this, readers can gather that Carrie still has a lot to learn.
Themes
