53 pages • 1 hour read
Theodore DreiserSister Carrie
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1900A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser follows 18-year-old Caroline Meeber's journey from her small-town home to the bustling city of Chicago in search of success and happiness. She encounters Charles Drouet and George Hurstwood, who influence her path as she navigates the harsh realities of urban life, grappling with issues of materialism, ambition, and the evolving role of women in 19th-century America. This book includes themes of illness, depression, and suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Theodore Dreiser's Sister Carrie receives praise for its realistic portrayal of urban American life and complex characters, especially Carrie’s multifaceted evolution. Some readers appreciate its candid exploration of ambition and societal constraints. However, criticisms highlight its dense narrative and occasional moral ambiguity. Dreiser's style can be perceived as both a strength and a challenge.
Who Should Read Sister Carrie?
Readers who enjoy detailed character development, realism, and exploration of urban life's moral complexities would appreciate Theodore Dreiser's Sister Carrie. This novel appeals to fans of works like Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert and Maggie: A Girl of the Streets by Stephen Crane.