Sister Carrie: Chapter 12 Summary & Analysis

Mrs. Hurstwood is “cold,” “self-centered,” and guarded—she never reveals her thoughts. Hurstwood senses this in his wife on some level, but does not let himself acknowledge it. The two generally lived together peacefully. He is not afraid of her, and she still takes “a faint pride in him” because he allows her to maintain her lifestyle and social status. Still, Hurstwood is careful around her, as “he [cannot] be sure of anything once she bec[omes] dissatisfied.”

On the night that Hurstwood attended the theater with Drouet and Carrie, his son, George Jr., also happened to be there. Hurstwood did not see his son, but George saw his father. The morning after, at breakfast, George makes a remark about seeing his father at the theater, raising Mrs. Hurstwood’s suspicion. She asks Hurstwood what he saw and who he was with, and Hurstwood answers honestly. The narrator notes that because of the nature of Hurstwood’s job, his wife typically does not question his social movements. However, Hurstwood has lately used his work as an excuse to avoid going out with his wife—this is the explanation he gave about “the very evening in question only the morning before.” Hurstwood relates to her that he simply “couldn’t help the interruption” and “made up for it afterward by working until two.”

Hurstwood’s excuse “[settles] the discussion for the time being, but there [is] a residue of opinion which [is] not satisfactory.” Hurstwood feels that her claims were “unsatisfactorily pushed.” For years, his affection for her has been waning and her company is always “dull.” After meeting Carrie, Hurstwood finds his wife all the more “irksome.” However, Mrs. Hurstwood is still intent on having “a complete fulfillment of the letter of their relationship, though the spirit might be wanting.”

Mrs. Hurstwood tells Hurstwood to accompany her on a visit to Mr. Phillips and his wife. Hurstwood grudgingly agrees with “short grace,” thinking that he ought “not to bothered fooling around with visitors when [he] has work to do.” A short while later, Mrs. Hurstwood asks for his accompaniment to a matinée, an invitation that Hurstwood declines. Overall, “the feeling of mutual antagonism [is] increased” between husband and wife. At the same time, Hurstwood’s interest in Carrie grows.

At this point in time, Carrie has “the aptitude of the struggler who seeks emancipation.” Under Mrs. Hale’s tutelage, Carrie learns the distinction “between degrees of wealth.” Mrs. Hale enjoys driving in wealthy neighborhoods to look at houses she cannot afford. One afternoon, she invites Carrie to take a drive with her. On this drive, Carrie feels drawn to all the wealth she sees, and upon arriving back at her own rooms, notices that they look meager by comparison. Carrie perceives that there is a bigger, more cosmopolitan life than that which she shares with Drouet. She feels “as if all her state [is] one of loneliness and forsakenness.”

A servant arrives and tells Carrie that Hurstwood has come to visit. Carrie assumes that Hurstwood does not know Drouet is out of town. Carrie has seen little of Hurstwood during the winter but was “constantly in mind of him by one thing and another, principally by the strong impression he had made.” Carrie goes to see Hurstwood, and tells him Drouet is out of town, but Hurstwood does not mind. He entertains Carrie with “general topics” of interest. Carrie notices the surprising ease with which Hurstwood conducts a conversation and takes pleasure in all he says. Carrie “could not shut out the consciousness of his individuality and presence for a moment.” Under Hurstwood’s influence, Carrie brightens up.

Carrie perceives that she has special feelings for Hurstwood, the likes of which she has not felt for Drouet. For Carrie, “Hurstwood’s glance [is] as effective as the spoken words of a lover, and more.” She also feels Hurstwood’s growing attraction to her. Carrie feels no distress over this, as this desire is “invisible” and carries no “tangibility.”

As they talk, Hurstwood remarks that Carrie is not happy, and Carrie weakly agrees. Hurstwood sees that he is “the master of the situation” and reaches out to touch her hand. Carrie jumps away, but neither runs away nor stops their meeting. Hurstwood makes reassuring statements while holding her hand. Carrie neither accepts nor rejects these advances. Hurstwood leaves and Carrie feels troubled that she is “getting terrible.” On the other hand, Hurstwood leaves feeling assured that Carrie likes him, whistling an old song all the way to his office.