Sister Carrie Character Analysis

Caroline “Carrie” Meeber

Carrie is the titular protagonist of the novel. She is the sister of Minnie Hanson and mistress of Drouet and, later, Hurstwood. Throughout the novel, Carrie is always chasing after happiness, be it through… read analysis of Caroline “Carrie” Meeber

George W. Hurstwood

Hurstwood is Carrie’s lover, husband of Julia Hurstwood, and father to George Jr. and Jessica. At the beginning of the novel, Hurstwood’s life is the very picture of the American dream: through… read analysis of George W. Hurstwood

Charles H. Drouet

Drouet is a traveling salesman with a cheerful personality and simple mind. He is Carrie’s first lover and financial provider, and a frequent visitor of Hurstwood’s saloon. When Carrie first meets Drouet… read analysis of Charles H. Drouet

Robert Ames

Ames is a well-educated, thoughtful young man that Carrie meets in New York. Although Ames is Mrs. Vance’s cousin, he does not share her views on wealth and materiality: Ames deems luxury superficial and… read analysis of Robert Ames

Minnie Hanson

Carrie’s sister who lives in Chicago with her husband, Sven Hanson. Minnie is a diligent housewife who subscribes to her husband’s ideas of simplicity and economy. She spends her days at home doing… read analysis of Minnie Hanson

Jessica Hurstwood

Hurstwood’s daughter by Julia Hurstwood. Hurstwood had a tender spot for Jessica during her younger years but loses this affection as she grows vain and spoiled, turning into a woman not unlike her… read analysis of Jessica Hurstwood

Mrs. Vance

Mr. Vance’s wife. She lives across the hall from Carrie and Hurstwood in New York. She and Carrie become fast friends. Mrs. Vance is young, beautiful, and decked from head to toe in the… read analysis of Mrs. Vance

Mr. Vance

Mrs. Vance’s husband. He and his wife live across the hall from Carrie and Hurstwood in New York. He is, presumably, a wealthy businessman and enjoys spending money on luxury experiences, as seen when… read analysis of Mr. Vance

Lola Osborne

A chorus girl in New York. Carrie becomes friends with her after joining the same theater company as a fellow chorus girl. After Carrie leaves Hurstwood, she lives with Lola for the remainder of… read analysis of Lola Osborne

The Railroad Treasurer’s Daughter

A girl who lives across the hall from Carrie and Drouet in Chicago. Although Carrie never directly interacts with her, the daughter’s piano playing affects Carrie deeply, awakening in Carrie a desire for something more… read analysis of The Railroad Treasurer’s Daughter

Minor Characters

Sven Hanson

Carrie’s brother-in-law and Minnie’s husband. He lives a rigid and frugal life working in the stock yards of Chicago, rarely spending money on entertainment. Hanson and Carrie do not get along because of their different views on spending money.

Mrs. Julia Hurstwood

Hurstwood’s wife in Chicago and Jessica and George’s mother. She is a vain woman who greatly values social position and wealth. Mrs. Hurstwood also demonstrates a certain amount of gumption: she extorts money from Hurstwood after learning about his infidelity.

George Hurstwood

Hurstwood’s son by Julia Hurstwood. He appears to care little for his family.

Mrs. Hale

Carrie and Drouet’s neighbor in Chicago. She becomes friends with Carrie. Mrs. Hale adores material wealth and speaks highly of the rich, fueling Carrie’s own fascination with money.

Mr. Hale

Mrs. Hale’s husband. He is a theater manager who lives in the same building as Carrie and Drouet in Chicago. He “[lives] respectably from hand to mouth” on “a salary of forty-five dollars a week.”

Fitzgerald and Moy

The owners of the saloon that Hurstwood manages in Chicago. The two choose not to prosecute Hurstwood for his thievery when he steals thousands of dollars from the saloon’s safe since he returns almost all of the money and apologizes for his actions.

The Chambermaid

The chambermaid at Ogden Place cleans Carrie and Drouet’s apartment in Chicago. She indirectly informs Drouet of Carrie and Hurstwood’s affair by telling that Hurstwood had often visited while Drouet was away.

Mr. Quincel

A member of the Freemasons. He directs the first play that Carrie acts in, back in Chicago.

Mr. Oeslogge

Carrie and Hurstwood’s grocer in New York. Hurstwood comes to owe him a good deal of money.

Sister Carrie

Theodore Dreiser

Sister Carrie Characters