The narrative of Sister Carrie begins with an unmistakable tone of optimism. The narrator consistently speaks from a third-person omniscient perspective. This reflects Carrie’s youthful spirit and her optimism about the new beginnings coming her way. The narrator’s initial tone mirrors Carrie's exuberance and naivety as she steps into the throes of her new urban life.
Dreiser’s narrator primarily focuses on Carrie, her internal struggles, desires, and aspirations. However, as the narrative progresses, the scope broadens. Readers get glimpses of the broader societal landscapes of Chicago and New York, gaining insights into the lives and thoughts of other characters. This shifting focus enriches the narrative. Rather than presenting a homogenous perspective, Dreiser is able to give the reader a multidimensional understanding of different societal roles in the 19th century.
As the weight of the city's challenges begins to press down on Carrie, the tone undergoes a dramatic shift. Moving away from its initial optimism, it veers into the territories of uncertainty and despair. The narrator grimly captures the unsavory realities of city life, the struggles for financial stability, the intricate and often tumultuous dynamics of Carrie’s romantic life, and the relentless grind of labor. As Carrie navigates the highs and lows of her career, the narrator's tone becomes more judgmental and pointed, reflecting the internal moral and ethical battles she contends with.
Sister Carrie culminates with a stark realization by the protagonist that financial success isn’t all that’s required for happiness. Carrie's monetary success—which, given the rest of the novel, a reader might expect to be the pinnacle of her aspirations—fails to bring her genuine happiness. This profound disillusionment defines the tone at the end of the novel, as Carrie questions the metrics of success and fulfillment.
