Sister Carrie
by Theodore Dreiser
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Sister Carrie: Genre 1 key example

Key Examples in Sister Carrie

Genre
Explanation and Analysis:

One of the driving forces behind Sister Carrie is its rooting in the genre of Naturalism. An important and pioneering staple of 19th-century American literature, Naturalism espouses the idea that environment plays a central role in shaping individual behavior. This genre suggests that an individual's actions and fate are largely determined by what surrounds them. In Sister Carrie, urban life, with its hustle, allure, and hardships, becomes the crucible that forges Carrie's destiny. The complexities of Carrie’s interactions within the city's environments significantly change the trajectory of her growth. The obstacles she faces and the people she meets mold Carrie's choices and path. This is typical of Naturalist novels, which highlight an individual's lack of control in the face of overarching societal factors.