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
The Vances come back, but Mrs. Vance does not visit Carrie as she does not know the new address. Carrie has been avoiding communicating with Mrs. Vance for fear that “the latter would take [the move] as an indication of reduced circumstances.” The two coincidentally meet while shopping and exchange addresses.
Carrie is ashamed of Hurstwood and her new living situation. Although Hurstwood lost his pride, she has not lost hers. Carrie’s pride is enough to keep her from seeking Mrs. Vance’s companionship, despite her loneliness and dissatisfaction.
Themes
Carrie returns home and feels that “her situation [is] becoming unbearable,” as Hurstwood still looks unkempt and Carrie is afraid that Mrs. Vance might visit and see him. Carrie tries to hint to Hurstwood that he ought to clean up; however, Hurstwood is indifferent.
Hurstwood’s indifference to Carrie’s suggestion shows that he no longer cares about what Carrie thinks of him. Furthermore, his indifference to cleaning up shows his lack of consideration for Carrie: he does not think about the pain that his behavior is bringing her.
Themes
Hurstwood has become “knavish” and looks defeated, a shell of his former self. Hurstwood still dresses up and “sall[ies] forth quite actively” on occasion but without “any definite aim.” After glimpsing poker rooms a few times, Hurstwood tries to gamble for the first time. Hurstwood loses $60 and decides to play no more. He now has only $340 left.
Hurstwood no longer deems it necessary to continue his job search—he has become utterly passive. However, he is not completely hopeless. The fact that Hurstwood gambles shows that he is expecting some miraculous turn of events that will straighten out his life and financial situation.
Themes
One day, Carrie finds Hurstwood in his old clothes and, “remembering Mrs. Vance’s promise to call,” directly asks him to change. Hurstwood is nonchalant and claims that Mrs. Vance does not need to see him. Carrie demonstrates a new dislike for Hurstwood: “This lack of pride and interest made Carrie almost hate him.”
Hurstwood and Carrie’s relationship is now one of complete antipathy: Carrie dislikes him for his idleness and unkempt appearance while Hurstwood dislikes Carrie for her bothersome requests. Indeed, his relationship with Carrie is now almost as strained as his relationship with his wife in Chicago.
Themes
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One day, Mrs. Vance calls while Carrie is away and Hurstwood opens the door. Mrs. Vance is shocked by Hurstwood’s changed appearance and hurries away. Hurstwood feels ashamed and guilty. When Carrie returns and learns of the encounter, she voices her shame and anger to Hurstwood. The two argue and Carrie asks him to look for work. Hurstwood is indignant. Carrie asks him why he married her, and Hurstwood responds that he didn’t marry her. Carrie is shocked as “she had believed it was all legal and binding enough.” She runs out of the room, sobbing.
Mrs. Vance’s shock with regards to Hurstwood’s appearance indicates just how much he has physically changed since the early days in New York. From this encounter, readers can tell that Hurstwood still has enough dignity to feel ashamed about his unkempt appearance in front of acquaintances. Carrie finally learns that Hurstwood lied to her never had the intention to make her an honorable woman, making him worse than Drouet who never deceived her outright.
Themes
Hurstwood dresses and leaves. For a moment, Carrie is afraid he has taken the money but then sees that Hurstwood is only taking a stroll. Hurstwood is indignant about the events that transpired during the day and spends a significant amount on an extravagant dinner. The narrator relates that Hurstwood “was becoming addicted to his ease.” Hurstwood then gambles again and loses $75 dollars. There are now only $190 left.
Hurstwood does not know how to live as a man of little means. Based on the extravagant meal and gambling, he evidently is either in denial or utterly hopeless with regards to his financial situation. The fact that he does not consider Carrie’s well-being in all of this shows the continuation of a selfish streak.
Themes
In the morning, Carrie does not speak to him. For the next two days, Hurstwood continues to live as a gentleman. He loses thirty dollars before coming “down to cold, bitter sense again.” Three days later, Carrie indifferently tells Hurstwood that rent is due. Hurstwood exclaims that rent is much too expensive before getting out his purse in “despair.” The narrator states that Hurstwood “was nearing his last hundred dollars.”
Hurstwood’s reckless spending shows that he has lost his capacity for reason—he is now living according to only instinct. The fact that Carrie does not speak to Hurstwood yet still depends on him for money demonstrates a sort of ignorance and entitlement—she still expects him to take care of her despite their antagonistic relationship.
Themes
