The novel Sister Carrie, written by Theodore Dreiser, is considered by many to be the first modern American novel. Dreiser is also considered one of the greatest American naturalists, as he was one of the first writers of this period. Dreiser certainly used his writing in Sister Carrie to escape the period of Romanticism and focus on depicting real daily life in America's bustling cities during the Gilded Age. Although the novel was published in 1900, it is set a century earlier, in 1889 Chicago. Through this literary work, we can learn about the role human nature plays on morality through the desires of the characters, gain insight into American culture, and make connections to modern society. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essaySister Carrie is quite different from the mainstream literature of its time because it takes a different approach to the concept of moral decisions and their consequences . Although the characters have a battle of conscience throughout the novel, the role of morality has no clear effect on how the characters behave at the end of the novel. For example, Carrie and Hurstwood are both driven by their own desires to commit morally wrong actions, but these actions have no role in their future. It appears that the author is making a comment on the fact that people who commit ethically wrong actions rarely have consequences when pursuing the American dream, as Carrie becomes a rich and famous actress despite her dishonesty by cheating and leaving Drouet and Hurstwood. Although Sister Carrie teaches the lesson between good and evil, she expresses that people often choose to do evil because they are blinded by their own ambition. Whether we recognize it or not, it is ingrained in human nature to act in our own self-interest. This is seen explicitly through the money-hungry actions of Carrie, who will do whatever it takes to be economically and socially at the top. At the turn of the 20th century in America, consumerism was taking hold. Department stores were booming, and Americans wanted nothing more than flashy material goods. Owning the latest or most expensive items was a clear sign of wealth and belonging to the esteemed upper class. At that time, many people, including Carrie Meeber, had the ultimate dream of finding a way out of the lower class to enter this select group. In Sister Carrie, true American culture is revealed through the overwhelming obsessive feelings related to money. Carrie and Hurstwood's quarrels over money reflect the life of an American, and Carrie's desires for a new dress or jewelry represent the desires of an American woman. However, it is revealed at the end of the novel that even though Carrie has all the wealth she can imagine, she has no one with whom to share that wealth or her time. She has isolated herself from everyone who cared about her, and she finds herself alone and unhappy. Carrie's life story is the perfect example that money truly can't buy happiness. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The themes of Sister Carrie are so intertwined with modern society it's just strange. The importance of wealth and class is just as important today as it was in the late 19th century. Likewise, the presence of a..