Analyzing of Sister Carrie’s Independence Process from the Perspective of Feminism

姜新新

【Abstract】“Sister Carrie” is published when the American society is in the transition from traditional industry to modern industry.Modern industrial not only provide opportunity to the development of city，but also offer some employment opportunities to the people，while the survival pressure for living is also increased.Peoples thought also undergo a tremendous change.They even feel puzzled and confused.

【Key words】Sister Carrie； feminism

Ⅰ.From Dependence to Independence

Affected by feminism，Sister Carrie decided not to bear her own poor life，and went to her dreamed metropolitan Chicago.Sister Carrie as a country girl who never went out for any far distance，although she was eager to live in a big city，it was still a great move for her.She was shy and timid，especially when she had no power and money.A shoe factory promised to give her a job.She was so happy to get the job！ Thanks God and finally gave her an opportunity to achieve the aspirations to work in the big cities.So she forgot the pain and fatigue for finding jobs，and felt comfortable with her life.She thinks her future is full of fantasy，and she began to image how to spend her little salary.

Ⅱ.The Return to the Traditional Female

Shoe factorys working conditions are very difficult，the description is “machine oil and fresh smell of leather mixed together”.Despite the harsh working conditions，she finally lost the job.Then the “generous” Drouet appeared.He took her to a restaurant，and treated her with a great feast.Then he “enthusiastic” buy her clothes and other accessories，renting a room for her to live，he lied to her that everything was just lent to her.So Carrie would have no qualms about accepting his help.She thought that she would be able to find a job and return his money innocently，but she didnt realize that she was definitely unable to do that.so she had to hope Drouet to marry her.But he had no idea，and he pursued the woman just out of his own nature.Over time，Carrie realized that it is impossible to marry him.At that time Hurstwood a hotel manager who is more considerate and superior to Drouet attracted by her at first sight，and therefore she wants to be a traditional woman more than ever before.She desired to marry a handsome，rich and powerful husband who was really love her，although later she learned that Hurstwood was a married man，but he promised he loved her，and would divorce his wife and marry her.

Ⅲ.The Independent of Carrie

The ambiguous relationship between Carrie and Hurstwood was found by Drouet，he decided to leave Carrie.Carrie was very sad.She gradually realized that there was no true love between her and Drouet.Carrie just had her own hallucinations.She was not enamored of Drouet.Drouet did not really love her either，and his pursuit of a woman is just a hobby.However，the reality was cruel，she had not much money left，so she had to act now.In the process of looking for work，from the greedy eyes of men she knew her worth.But she decided to use her own labor to support herself and live an honest and legitimate life.From this point we can see her independent consciousness.By constantly struggling with herself，she was more confident compared with the time when she just arrived in Chicago.Although it was a hard time and no gains for her，she had a great move for her independence.

Since her first time on stage，she showed a great enthusiasm for the art，Carrie was not afraid of the hard time，because of her efforts，the director gradually gave her some more important role.And Carrie was increasingly popular to society，at this time she wanted to be independence and freedom.After the success of Carrie，she did not need to rely on men and their money.

Ⅳ.Conclusion

From all above analysis，we can conclude Carrie grow up as an independent woman from a village girl，she has experienced numerous shaken，wandering，and finally she goes out of the family，and become a self-reliant，economically independent “New Woman” thus she has achieved her potential，and gained independence.

References：

[1]Peter Conan，Literature in American[M].New York，Cambridge University Press，1989，p.24.

[2]Rowbotham Sheila，Women in Movement：Feminism and Social Action[J].1992，p.8-12.

[3]鲍晓兰.西方女权主义研究评介[M].北京：三联书店，1995.

[4]郭平自我的重建—從女性主义的角度看嘉莉妹妹的成长历程[D].山东大学.