An Analysis of Naturalism on Dreiser’s Sister Carrie

【Abstract】As an outstanding representative figure of the American naturalist literature， Dreiser creates a new era of the American literature by writing in naturalist style. He regards objectivity and reality as the best creative rule， gives prominence to desire instinct and emphasizes the decisive role of the environment. Based on Sister Carrie， this paper has an analysis and appreciation of naturalism.

【Key words】Dreiser； Sister Carrie； objectivity； desire； environment

Introduction

Dreiser is a prominent naturalist emerged in American literature of 20th century and he makes a great contribution to the literature creation of American Naturalism. Influenced by French naturalism， Dreiser adopts scientific and objective description， without indicating his own moral judgment. Whats more， he emphasizes human beings animal instinct. This paper is going to analyze the naturalism features of Sister Carrie from the perspectives of objectivity and reality， desire instinct and the decisive role of the environment.

1. objectivity and reality

Reality is foundation and logical requirements of naturalism. Dreiser regards objectivity and reality as the best creative rule. He shows us an immoral world by employing many documentary descriptions in Sister Carrie. By describing three different living conditions experienced by Sister Carrie， he shows us the cruel， savage， inhuman social views of capitalism society.

Naturalism reality is reflected in authors strict attitude and precise details in life. Naturalism requires detailed description just as precise as scientists report without missing any concrete detail to reflect the reality of life. This is the typical characteristic of Dreisers novel.

This novel objectively depicts the heroine going through hardships of life and a strong desire for better life by describing the details about food， clothing， furniture， debt etc. The author holds on immoral attitude， which embody his objectivity and reality of naturalism. There is a crucial plot—Hurstwood stealing money， this scandal leaves his lifelong regret， which can be regarded as a turning point in his life. Dreiser pays peculiar attention to the descriptions of main details in order to demonstrate the development of the story.

2. the impacts that desire instinct having on human beings

Dreiser believes that everyones actions are direct responses to a series of internal impulses and external temptation， so no one can keep cautious. Dreiser believes Darwinism with no doubt. He regards the society as a jungle， and people struggle to survive in the jungle. Dreiser vividly illustrates peoples different destinies driven by the desire in Sister Carrie.

Carrie is filled with desire for materials. Meanwhile， Drouet is full of sexual desire， he regards the conquest of beautiful women as the symbolism of his force. In narrators opinion， Drouet chasing after women is just as natural as his sympathy for the poor， because he is such a person with inborn desire.

As a result， Dreiser emphasizes sense of survival of main figures in the novel and stresses the animal nature， such as hunger， lust etc. in order to weaken the function of ethics in life and society.

3. decisive role of the environment

American industrial production had topped to number one in the world in late 19th century， which is the transition from liberal capitalism to monopoly capitalism. Consequently， a few people gradually occupy huge wealth and economic power.

Carrie comes to Chicago with her dream under this circumstance. Carrie had already been lured by endless opportunities of the city before she was tempted by Drouet and Hurstwood. As a result， she was fascinated by the expensive food and luxury environment when Drouet took her to the cozy restaurant， and then she was eager to live a luxury life as Drouet. Finally， she was captured under the temptation of reality.

It is environment that forces Carrie to pursue money and enjoyment step by step. Similarly， it is environment that results in Hurstwoods suicide. From the perspectives of Darwins theory of evolution and Spencers survival of the fittest， it is unalterable principle for Carries success and Hurstwoods failure.

Conclusion

In summary， there is no doubt that Dreiser is a naturalist. He sticks to the tradition of French Zolas naturalism and focuses on the influence of heredity and environment by applying reality and plainness in his novels. Realism is on the basis of naturalism， which reflects American values， showing real life objectively. What Dreiser wants to reveal in his work is that the crisis of belief and spirit results from the gap between ideality and reality.

References：

[1]左拉.實验小说论·自然主义[M].北京：中国社会科学出版社， 1988.

[2]德莱塞.裘柱常，译.嘉莉妹妹[M].上海：上海译文出版社，1990.

[3]马晓菲.《嘉莉妹妹》中的自然主义解读[J].辽宁行政学院学报，2008（6）.

作者简介： 李洋（1991.7-）， 山西朔州人， 宁夏大学研究生在读，研究方向： 英美文学。