Sister Carrie · Chapter
XIV: With Eyes and Not Seeing: One Influence Wanes explained
Carrie revels in her newfound affection for Hurstwood, while Drouet remains oblivious.
What happens
Carrie revels in her newfound affection for Hurstwood, while Drouet remains oblivious. Gossip about Carrie's outings with Hurstwood spreads in her building. Hurstwood, enjoying the affair without serious commitment, plans secret meetings. Drouet returns and Hurstwood carefully maintains appearances. At the theatre, a play mirrors the love triangle, and afterward a beggar asks for money, highlighting the contrast between the characters' lives and the city's poverty.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Illusion
Carrie and Hurstwood's romance is built on deception and self-deception, with both ignoring the moral and practical consequences.
Social Class and Mobility
Hurstwood's secure position contrasts with the beggar's destitution, highlighting the precariousness of social standing.
Poverty and Survival
The beggar's plea for a bed underscores the harsh realities of urban poverty that lurk beneath the characters' comfortable lives.
Characters to notice
- Caroline Meeber
Revels in her affection for Hurstwood, feels justified in deceiving Drouet, and begins to see a way out of her situation.
- George Hurstwood
Enjoys the affair without responsibility, carefully manages appearances with Drouet, and reassures Carrie of his intentions.
- Charles Drouet
Returns from his trip, remains oblivious to the affair, and dismisses Carrie's concerns about marriage with a light promise.
- Mrs. Hale
Observes Carrie's comings and goings and gossips about her behavior.
Key passages
“Carrie in her rooms that evening was in a fine glow, physically and mentally. She was deeply rejoicing in her affection for Hurstwood and his love, and looked forward with fine fancy to their next meeting Sunday night.”
Carrie felt elated and content, basking in the warmth of her love for Hurstwood and eagerly anticipating their next rendezvous.
Highlights Carrie's emotional state and her growing attachment to Hurstwood.
“Hurstwood saw that she was not to be possessed for the asking, and deferred pressing his suit too warmly. Since he feigned to believe in her married state he found that he had to carry out the part.”
Hurstwood realized Carrie would not be easily won, so he held back his advances, maintaining the pretense that she was married to Drouet.
Reveals Hurstwood's calculated approach and the deception underlying their relationship.
“The plea was that of a gaunt-faced man of about thirty, who looked the picture of privation and wretchedness. Drouet was the first to see. He handed over a dime with an upwelling feeling of pity in his heart. Hurstwood scarcely noticed the incident. Carrie quickly forgot.”
A gaunt, desperate beggar asked for money for a bed. Drouet gave him a dime out of pity, while Hurstwood barely noticed and Carrie quickly dismissed the encounter.
Contrasts the characters' reactions to poverty, underscoring their self-absorption and the city's indifference.