Appreciating The "Beautiful Precision" Of Dreiser's Style In Sister Carrie--An Analysis From The View Point Of Naturalism

Theodore Dreiser (1871-1945) is the eminent representative of novelist of Americannaturalism. 1900 witnessed the publication of his first novel Sister Carrie which represents thematurity of American naturalism. This paper mainly discusses how Dreiser's writing style of"beautiful precision"is perfectly presented in the text of Sister Carrie in which Dreiser'sunique style is mainly reflected in two aspects, that is, the precise interpretation of the conceptof naturalism and the precise application of two artistic expressions, namely symbolism andcontrast.Besides the introduction and conclusion, the thesis consists of four chapters. Chapterone primarily explores into the theoretical basis of the paper, that is, American naturalismwhich is traced back to European origins and indigenous literary origins, and then comes toDreiser's distinct style, especially his"beautiful precision". Chapter two and chapter three arebody parts of the paper. The two parts particularly analyze the charm of his style in SisterCarrie. Chapter two discusses how Dreiser's wonderful style of accuracy is presented bymeans of the meticulous description of naturalistic views including consumer environments,hereditary factors and insatiable desires. Chapter three spotlights his"beautiful precision"from the application of symbolism and contrast, and in Dreiser's smart handling with the twoartistic techniques his naturalistic ideas are splendidly revealed. On one hand, aboutsymbolism, the thesis mainly expounds"rocking chair"which symbolizes the unstablerelationship of the three characters and their different desires. This part shows how Dreiseruses his distinctive words to accurately present three characters'different behaviors anddifferent thoughts when they sit in the rocking chair on different conditions. On the other hand,about contrast, the paper principally illuminates the contrast among Carrie's abodes from thebeginning to the end of the novel and the contrast of residence between Hurstwood's andMinnie's, and during this process Dreiser's precise depiction on these living environments ison an ideal exemplification. Chapter four primarily focuses on the evaluation of his matchlessstyle and Dreiser's special significance to the American stylistics.Based on the above detailed analysis, it could be safely concluded that Dreiser's unique style of"beautiful precision"lies mainly in the fact that he precisely even scientificallypresents the truth of life in his novels. Dreiser's unparalleled style of"beautiful precision"could be a classical case to be studied and interpreted on the aesthetic principals of novelwriting.