Chapter One Introduction1.1The Brief Introduction of the Novel Sister CarrieSister Carrie is the first novel written by Theodore Dreiser，who lived at the turn of 19th and 20th century. In the history of American literary naturalism, Theodore Dreiser was one of the most outstanding novelists. Coming from the bottom of the society, he was the first one to describe the real American citizen life. Theodore Dreiser was called the pioneer of American contemporary fiction and was thought to be the great master of American realism. In Dreisers novels, he discarded “the gentle tradition, which was very popular at that time. On the contrary, he dared to depict the life as it was and discovered the dark side of the social life, bravely attacking the traditional moral standards of America. The characters in his novels mostly came from the bottom of the society, and they were also deeply influenced by the privileges and limitations of the social class. That leaded to their misfortunes at last.Sister Carrie was about a young country girl who moves to the big city where she starts realizing her own American Dream. From a simple girl to an independent woman, Sister Carrie creates the new chapter of New Female Consciousness. Whats more, it also has been called the “greatest of all American urban novels”.Sister Carrie, the heroine in the novel, was a girl who was not satisfied her life in rural Wisconsin home. Therefore, this 18 years old girl took the train to Chicago, a big city which was full of attraction. On the train, she met Charles Drouet, a traveling salesman, who was attracted by her simple beauty and unspoiled manner, and the man also had great impact on her. When Sister Carrie arrived, she soon embarked on a quest for work to live and pay rent to her sister. At first, Sister Carrie embodied no courage to be employed for her unskilled and inexperienced. She wandered in the street for several days. Finally, she took a job running a machine in a shoe factory with the meager wage. Before long, she found it was so formidable to pay the expense, leave alone to buy some beautiful clothes. Whats more, she also sensed Minnie and Svens disapproval of her interest in Chicagos recreational opportunities. The life of Sister Carrie tended to be so despairing that she could not endure such poor life any more, not only hopeless, but loneliness. At this time, after she met Charles Drouet by accident in the street, the man bought new shoes, new caps, and comfortable life, her life took a new look gradually. Finally, she moved out of her sisters house to live with Charles Drouet. On one occasion, she met Hurstwood, a hotel manager who was well-dressed and charming. Sister Carrie and he quickly fell in love. However, the affair that Hurstwood already got married was uncovered. After a night of drinking, and despaired at his wifes financial demands and Carries rejection, Hurstwood embezzled a large amount of cash in the unlocked safe of his bosss office. And then, he lured Carrie to escape with him. However, they cant return to Chicago, so they had to move to a more flourishing city, New York. Sister Carrie had never seen such luxurious spectacles. However, life is always full of dramatics. Hurstwood lost his position and cant stand up any more in mind. Meanwhile, Carrie, the girl who ever depended on men, became the super star of theater. Finally, Hurstwood committed suicide in a flophouse and Carrie can earn money by herself. 1.2The Change of Carrie After She Went to ChicagoThe whole story shows a history of growing up on Sister Carrie. In the little and poor Wisconsin home, she was a girl that full of beautiful dreams, and kept a simple mind. Besides, she never know how flourishing of the big cities were. Likes the author said: “When a girl leaves her home at eighteen, she does one of two things. Either she falls into saving hands and becomes better, or she rapidly assumes the cosmopolitan standard of virtue and becomes worse.” After she went to Chicago, driving by the American dreams, she began to find jobs. At first, she was very excited to see such a big place. Even every company published employment news. But quickly, Sister Carrie lost courage for her no skill or no experienced. She was rejected by several companies that made her more self-abased. Finally, she found a job in a shoes factory with five pennies salary. However, the life was too far away from what she expected. At that time, Sister Carrie embodied the features such as passive, afraid of sufferings, desire of material things and lack of self-mind, like all the general women.Nevertheless, cities were a big lecture room. His scenery, his buildings of ocean, crowded street, and even every urban people were all Sister Carries teachers, who teach her to taste the soul of flourishing cities. “The street was full of coaches. Pompous doormen in immense coats, shiny brass belts and buttons, waited in front of expensive salesrooms. C