Abstract:

“Sister Carrie” is a work created by Theodore Dreiser, an American realist writer, based on the American social reality in the late 19th century, reflecting the phenomenon of young people frantically chasing the American dream in their hearts. In the process of transforming from a traditional agricultural society to a modern industrial society, American society at that time was impacted by consumerism. This paper analyzes “Sister Carrie” from the perspective of consumerism. It first introduces consumerism and the cultural background of consumerism at that time, then analyzes the embodiment of consumerism in “Sister Carrie”, and then interprets the change of Carrie’s consumption view. Finally, this paper reveals the consumerism theme of “Sister Carrie”: it is precisely under the drive of consumerism that Carrie gradually realizes the materialistic success of her American dream, but her spiritual destiny is still swaying like a...