One of the most convincing elements of Sister Carrie is the realism used in describing commerce and money. The industry and economy in Chicago at that time are a major element in the novel. Employment is also a large part of the plot as many of the character’s actions reflect their career choices. Dreiser goes into great detail when describing such topics as employment, money, and industry in his novel. During Carrie’s initial search for employment, every aspect of the job-hunting process is specifically covered. Also, instead of describing the setting of Chicago during that time period, Dreiser tells the complete background of commercial history of the city. Unlike most authors who describe the scenery of the location, Dreiser describes Chicago in terms

There are several reasons for Dreiser’s intense focus on commerce and financial matters. First, Dreiser himself grew up much like Carrie. He was preoccupied with fantasies and thoughts about money throughout most of his life. Having grown up in extreme poverty, Dreiser was interested in the security and comfort that money could provide. Another factor that contributed to Dreiser’s focus on money is the time period in which the novel was written. During his childhood, the nation emphasized that anyone could become rich in this great land of opportunity. Dreiser felt these Gilded Age misconceptions. His novel reflects both the difficulties and possibilities presented by the rapid expansions of American commerce at the end of the nineteenth century (Moss 329).

In addition to being known for his realistic treatment of topics, Dreiser has received acclaim for his sensitivity to his characters’ predicaments. Dreiser wrote Sister Carrie with the image of his own siblings in mind. His sister, Emma, who had run away with her married lover, served as a model for Carrie. Dreiser wrote about Carrie from a sense of feeling. He wrote as if he were experiencing the events and their effects as they occurred. Critics have often noted this artistic passion in Dreiser’s writing. Also, the career of Dreiser’s older brother, Paul, greatly influenced the novel. Paul had an aptitude for the stage, just as Carrie did in the novel. Dreiser’s own life was also used as a model for characters in his novel.

Some topics in this essay:
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