At the outset of Theodore Dreiser's influential novel Sister Carrie, Carrie Meeber is eighteen years old.
Carrie's Arrival in Chicago
Her journey into the novel begins as an eighteen-year-old embarking on a new chapter in a bustling metropolis. Driven by a profound longing for the excitement and opportunities of urban life, Carrie leaves her hometown of Colombia and arrives in Chicago. This pivotal moment marks her transition from a naive country girl to an individual confronting the complexities of city living.
Characteristics of Young Carrie
As she steps into the vibrant, overwhelming world of Chicago, Carrie is depicted with specific youthful traits. She is portrayed as:
- Bright: Indicating a certain intelligence or alertness.
- Timid: Reflecting her inexperience and perhaps a slight apprehension about her new environment.
- Full of the illusions of ignorance and youth: This phrase powerfully encapsulates her naiveté and the idealistic misconceptions she holds about life, success, and happiness, which are common to young people entering adulthood.
This initial depiction of Carrie as an eighteen-year-old full of hopeful illusions sets the stage for her subsequent experiences and transformation throughout the narrative, as she navigates the social and economic landscapes of late 19th-century America.
