A reoccurring motif that I would like to report thoroughly, is the mirror in Sister Carrie. Briefly summed up, the mirror is used to represent vanity of the character Carrie. Throughout the story Carrie’s physical appearance is acknowledged and she is sporadically looking in a mirror. Her appearance is the result of trouble and helps further advance the story. Vanity itself is a deep and antique subject that has been under scrutiny since biblical times. As a function in the book, I believe Dreiser is making a statement throughout the story on superficiality and the mirror is one thematic element; many others include the lavish windows, the elegant clothes, the buildings, window panes, and mannerisms. Here are some quotes dealing with vanity within the story. “Like all human beings, she had a touch of vanity.” (165). This commentary by the narrator is said in reaction to Carries wanting of being an actress. She is lured by the outer appearances of the actresses. In this case vanity is being shown to Carrie and ends up attracting herself to become vain. In this next passage, Carrie returns to her room to quickly look into her mirror:” She undid her broad lace collar before the mirror and unfastened her pretty alligator belt which she had recently bought.” (127). This quote reveals Carries vanity in her physical appearance as well as her outer appearance, her clothes. The first thing Carrie does when returning home is to look in the mirror, she is obsessed with appearances. As we are told Carrie is a beautiful and attractive woman, this is where her vanity has spawned from. It is not enough that Carrie is attractive naturally, she also manipulates her appearance to lavish clothes to present an appearance of higher status and wealth as exemplified by the alligator belt. Mention of the alligator belt being recently bought serves to clarify that she hadn’t procured this item before moving into the city. Safe to say, when she moved to the city, which also emphasis appearance in its buildings, windows and people, she went from shabby clothes to donning alligator belts and other lavish clothings, and also going from low status to high wealthy status. But in particular, the mirror makes note of this explicit vanity of her appearance. I would like to add a common picture that is associated with vanity and coincidentally could render Carrie in the above quote.
Following the quote, Carrie says emphatically, “I’m getting terrible” and the ensuing lines follow: she said, honestly affected by a feeling of trouble and shame. Even though these lines aren’t explicitly directed towards her subject of vanity and are making reference to a prior event in the story, they can also be a hint to Carries vanity. Carrie could also subconsciously be making reference to her vanity when she says she is terrible while feeling troubled and shame due to the fact of her looking in a mirror and the mention of vanity earlier.
Furthermore, on page 123, the narrator states: “She was quite disturbed for the moment as to her appearance, but soon satisfied herself by the aid of mirror, and went below.” This quote among others, reveals her satisfaction from receiving her appearance from the mirror. The frequent act of her looking into the mirror reveals her concern of her appearance. Furthermore, the narration quotes, “One evening Drouet found her dressing herself before the glass. “Clad,” said he, catching her, “I believe you’re getting vain.” (115). Once again, the glass, being referred to the mirror, shows Carrie obsession with her physical and outer appearance. Being beautiful enough, Carrie insists on bolstering her image further with elegance clothes, like a dress, which can be safely assumed, being a dress of high value and status. Drouet also makes note of Carrie, observing her obsession with the mirror and makes direct notice of her vanity by telling her she is becoming vain. Safe to say, the motif of the mirror reveals the theme of vanity within the story. Particularly dealing with Carrie and her vanity. Other signs of vanity occur with other characters as well, also with the city and its buildings. The mirror in this case thematically reflects (pun intended) the theme of vanity and its nature. When it comes to vanity, I believe it is an important theme to ponder when dealing with the wealthy and upper class. It is only natural to bring up this theme in Sister Carrie which I believe is a result of the urban lifestyle and the city. Only because I don’t think in rural areas people are concerned with pride and appearance or status.
mustapha336 