
This article examines the theme of identity in Theodore Dreiser’s novel Sister Carrie through the lens of literary naturalism. It argues that Dreiser presents identity not as a fixed or inherent trait but as a product of environmental forces, social conditions, and unconscious desires. By tracing Carrie Meeber’s transformation from a naïve country girl to a stage actress, the article explores how her sense of self is shaped—and fragmented—by the urban landscape, economic pressures, and emotional disillusionment. The study reveals how Dreiser’s naturalist vision deconstructs the myth of individual autonomy, illustrating instead a model of identity that is contingent, unstable, and deeply intertwined with the forces of modernity.
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| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
