An Eco-critical Study On Sister Carrie

Theodore Dreiser is one of the most outstanding writers in the history of the20th Century of American Literature. His first novel Sister Carrie is regarded as a milestone in American literature. We Chinese people are very familiar with this novel. Most Dreiser’s novels are based on the background of the cities. Dreiser himself cares more about the youngsters from the countryside, not excepting Sister Carrie. This thesis, from an ecological perspective, intends to analyze some abnormal relationships represented in the novel:the alienated relationships between humans and nature, the collapsed relationships between man and man, the unbalanced relationships between man and self. It tries to uncover that people’s life style; ethics as well as their spirit are all changed under the rapid development of urbanization. People in big cities seek material comforts and well-being then they become "persons without soul". However, it deserves to be mentioned that Ames’s appearance gives her guidance and spiritual help.This thesis is divided into three chapters besides an introduction and a conclusion. The introduction briefly presents Dreiser’s lifetime and his works as well as the development of ecocriticism which is the theoretical basis of the thesis. The introduction also concentrates on the literature review which studies on this novel both at home and abroad. Moreover, the significance and the purpose of the thesis can also be found in the introduction.Chapter One investigates the alienated relationships between man and nature represented in Sister Carrie. It focuses on the degradation and destruction to the beautiful natural environment and the changed city environment in Great Transition.Chapter Two analyzes the collapsed relationships between man and man, which is influenced most by the industrial civilization. The kinship between Carrie, her sister and her brother-in-law also vanishes like soap bubbles in the society which is filled with material interests. The collapsed relationships are also reflected by the distorted relationships between Carrie and her so-called lovers.Chapter Three examines the spiritual world of Carrie. She worships material comforts extremely. The industrial civilization and the urbanization distort Carrie’s soul. She finally makes her dream come true by selling her body and soul as well as by losing the traditional ethics. These cause the unbalanced relationships between her and herself which generate Carrie’s vacuum of spirit. Ames, as Carrie’s spiritual guider who resolves the contradiction between the pursuit of material and spirit in the mass consumption society.The conclusion points out, during the special period of social transformation, the degree of people’s materialism reaches its peak, the alienated relationships between man and nature, together with the disharmonious relationships among people result in human’s "spiritual contamination". However, Ames, the character Dreiser creates, brings profound enlightenment and speculation for us. Therefore, reading Sister Carrie at present inspires us to build a new-style society of sustainable development. In addition, we should take a new look at the migrant workers especially women and rebuild the harmonious spiritual ecology.