# XXVII: When Waters Engulf Us We Reach for a Star explained — Sister Carrie

> Chapter companion for Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser.

## What happens

Hurstwood, reeling from his business troubles and a letter from Carrie, decides to visit her but finds she is out. Later, after drinking, he returns to the saloon and, in a moment of moral wavering, steals money from the safe. He then flees, telephones about train schedules, and goes to Carrie's apartment, claiming her husband is injured to persuade her to leave with him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Determinism vs. Free Will

Hurstwood's internal struggle between duty and desire, and his wavering before stealing the money, highlights the tension between deterministic forces and the exercise of free will.

### Ambition and Desire

Hurstwood's desire for Carrie and his ambition to escape his troubled life drive him to commit theft, showing how personal ambition can override moral considerations.

### Love and Illusion

Hurstwood's belief that Carrie's letter indicates her love, and his romanticized vision of a future with her, illustrate the illusory nature of love as a refuge from reality.

## Character check-ins

### George Hurstwood

Hurstwood is in turmoil after receiving a letter from Carrie and a decisive note from his business partners. He steals money from the safe and flees, then goes to Carrie's apartment with a fabricated story.

### Caroline Meeber

Carrie is mentioned as having written a letter to Hurstwood and as being out at the theatre when he calls. She is later roused from sleep by Hurstwood's urgent knock.

### Charles Drouet

Drouet is staying at the Palmer House, and Hurstwood learns he is alone, suggesting a rift between him and Carrie. Hurstwood uses Drouet's absence to approach Carrie.

### Julia Hurstwood

Julia is referenced indirectly through the letter Hurstwood must answer the next morning, which concerns their marital situation.

## Key lines

> The mystic cords of affection! How they bind us all.

The powerful ties of love connect everyone.

_Reflects Hurstwood's emotional reliance on Carrie's affection to escape his troubles._

> The wavering of a mind under such circumstances is an almost inexplicable thing, and yet it is absolutely true.

The hesitation of a person in such a situation is hard to explain but completely real.

_Describes Hurstwood's indecision before stealing the money._

> He was drawn by such a keen desire for Carrie, driven by such a state of turmoil in his own affairs that he thought constantly it would be best, and yet he wavered.

His strong longing for Carrie and his personal chaos made him believe theft was the right choice, but he still hesitated.

_Highlights the conflict between desire and conscience._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sister_carrie_se/chapters/xxvii-when-waters-engulf-us-we-reach-for-a-star
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sister_carrie_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sister_carrie_se/chapters