When Caroline Meebe boarded the train for Chicago in the afternoon, her entire luggage consisted of a small suitcase, a cheap imitation alligator satchel, a small cardboard lunch and a yellow leather spring purse containing her A ticket, a slip of paper with her sister's address in Van Buren Street, and four dollars in cash. It was August, 1889. She was only eighteen years old, clever, timid, full of all kinds of ignorance and youth. Fantasies. Though she lingered when she left home, there was no good thing about her home. Tears welled up in her eyes when her mother kissed her good-bye; There was a choke; and she let out a sigh as the green village she knew receded outside the car window. But the threads that bound her to her hometown and her girlhood were permanently severed.

Of course, there is always a station ahead, and as long as she wants to go home, she can get off the train and walk back at any time. Chicago is right in front, and the train she takes now goes back and forth every day, closely linking Chicago and her hometown. Her hometown is Columbia. The city is not far away. She even went to Chicago once. Really, a few hours by train, hundreds of miles, what is that? She looked at the little piece of paper with her sister's address on it, and thought she asked herself. She turned her gaze out of the window and watched the green fields recede quickly. Then her thoughts became more active, and she began to imagine vaguely what life in Chicago would be like.

An 18-year-old girl runs away from home, and there are only two endings. Maybe she will meet good people to help her and become better; maybe she will quickly accept the moral standards of the metropolis and become bad... There must be one of the two. In this case, it is impossible to try to be good or bad, to maintain a middle-of-the-road state. The big cities have all kinds of seductive tricks of their own, no less than those who teach people. Bad men and women, of course, are much smaller and more human than society. Society has a huge influence, and can confuse people's feelings like sweet words that the most sophisticated people can think of. It can be said that half of the simple souls that have not been deeply involved in the world are corrupted by inhuman influence. The noisy voices and lively life in the city, coupled with Rows upon rows of buildings and buildings are shocking and heart-stirring at the same time, teaching people the ambiguous meaning of life. At this time, if there is no one to warn and explain softly by their side, what lies and fallacies are there? Will it pour into these unwary ears? Simple-minded young people are blinded to the false appearances of life, and are overwhelmed by their beauty, which, like music, first intoxicates and relaxes, and then People are weak-willed, and finally tempt people to go astray.

When Caroline was at home, the family called her Sister Carrie with some affection. She already had preliminary observation and analysis skills. She was self-interested, but not very strong, which was her main characteristic. She was full of The passionate fantasy of young people. Although she is beautiful, she is only a beautiful fetus in the developing stage. But from her figure, she can already see the wonderful figure when she matures in the future. Her eyes are full of natural intelligence. She is A typical American middle-class girl... Her family is the third generation of immigrants. She is not interested in books, and book knowledge has nothing to do with her. She still doesn't know how to behave and show instinctive elegance. Her posture of raising her head is not graceful enough. Her hands are almost useless. Although her feet are small, they will only lie flat on the ground. However, she is already very interested in her own charm, and she is more strongly interested in life. She has a quick perception of pleasure, and longs for material comforts. She is only a poorly armed knight, setting out on an adventure to scout out a mysterious great city, dreaming of some distant future where she will conquer this new world and let the The big city bowed its head and bowed its head, kneeling at her feet in fear and awe.

"Look," said someone in her ear, "that's one of the most beautiful resorts in Wisconsin." "Really?" she replied anxiously. The train had just left Waukeshire. But she had felt for a while that there was a man behind her. She could feel him scrutinizing her thick hair. People are becoming more and more interested in her. The reservedness of a girl and the traditional etiquette in this situation tell her not to answer, and not to allow a man to approach her casually like this. But that man is a veteran in love, his boldness and magnetic charm She had the upper hand, so that she actually answered. He leaned forward, put his arm on the back of her chair, and began a pleasant chat.

"Really, that's a favorite vacation spot for Chicagoans. It's a great hotel. You don't know the place?" "Well, no, I know this part of the world well," answered Carrie. "I live in Columbia City, you know. I've never been here, though." "So you've been to Chicago for the first time," he surmised. Out of the corner of her eye she caught glimpses of the man's features as they talked thus: a rosy, lively face, a light mustache, a gray fedora. Now she turned to face him, brain A sense of self-defense mixed with a woman's instinct for flirting.

"I didn't say so," she answered. "Oh, that's what I thought you meant," he said, pleasingly pretending to be mistaken. This man is a traveling salesman who sells products for manufacturers. At that time, it was just popular to call this kind of people "skinbags." However, he can also use a new word that became popular in the United States in 1880: "little boy." A man who dresses and behaves to impress young soft-hearted girls. This man wears a brown wool suit with striped checks, which was fashionable at the time, but has become familiar businessman's clothing now. Suit vest The low collar of the coat showed the front of a starched white shirt with pink stripes. The cuffs of the coat showed the shirt cuffs of the same material, and the button was a large gold-plated button with an ordinary button called a "cat's eye". Yellow Onyx. He wore several rings on his finger, one of which was a heavy signet ring, which he never left. A delicate gold watch chain hung from his vest, with a fraternity A well-tailored suit, paired with shiny patent leather shoes and a gray fedora, completes his outfit. For the type of man he represents, he is attractive. Carrie, at the first glance of him, had taken in all the good qualities in him, that was certain.

I would note down some of the most striking features of the successful manners and methods of such men, lest they should disappear for ever. Of course, the beauty of the dress is the first thing, and without such things as dress he would be nothing. The second element is a strong body and a strong sexual desire. He is carefree by nature, he does not bother to think about any problems, and he does not care about all kinds of forces or influences in the world. The driving force that dominates his life is not greed for wealth, but Insatiable greed for sensual pleasures. His method has always been very simple, mainly bold, of course out of desire and admiration for the opposite sex. As long as young girls let him meet, he will use a gentle and familiar attitude. The suit was warm, and there was a bit of pleading in his tone, and the girls often accepted him with tolerance. If the girl showed a little coquettish temper, he would go up to help her adjust her tie. If she "eat" his He immediately began to call her by nicknames. When he went to the department store, he always liked to lean on the counter and chat with the female salesperson like an old acquaintance, asking some familiar questions. If it was in a place with few people , For example, on a train or in a waiting room, he slows down when chasing people. If he finds a target that seems to be ready to attack, he will do everything he can... Say hello and lead the way to the living room Carriage, help with suitcases. If you can't carry suitcases, take a seat next to her, and hope that you can pay her attention until you reach your destination: fetch pillows, deliver books, set up footstools, put Curtains. That's about all he can do. If he doesn't get out of the car to look after her luggage when she reaches her destination, it's because, in his estimation, his quest has clearly failed.

A woman should one day write a complete book on clothing. No matter how young she is, she understands this kind of thing completely. There is such an indescribable subtle line in men's clothing, and she can distinguish which men are worth looking at by this line. At a glance, which men are not worth looking at. Once a man falls below this line, he can't expect to win the favor of women. There is also a line in men's clothes, which will make women turn their attention to their clothes. Now Carrie She saw the line in the man beside her, and felt dwarfed by it. She felt that the plain blue dress trimmed with black was too poor, and the shoes on her feet were too old.

"You know," he went on, "I know quite a few people in your town. Morgan Lowe, the dresser, and Gibson, the satin shop." "Oh, really?" she interjected with interest, thinking of those shop windows that had fascinated her. This at last led him to discover her interest, and he continued the subject deftly. In a few minutes he had come over and sat beside her. He was talking about the sale of clothes, about his travels, about Chicago and Chicago. of various entertainment. "You'll have a good time when you get there. Do you have any relations there?"

"I'm going to see my sister," she explained. "You gotta check out Lincoln Park," he said. "And check out Michigan Avenue. They're building up there. It's another New York, it's amazing. So much to see. . . . .the theater, the crowds, the beautiful house... Really, you'll enjoy it all." She imagined what he had described, and felt a pang in her heart. The city was so grand and grand, and she was so small, it couldn't help but make her feel emotional. She realized that her life would not be a series of joys. .But she sees a glimmer of hope in the material world he paints. It's always nice to have such a well-dressed person courting her. He said she looked like some female star, and she listened Can't help but smile. She's not stupid, but such flattery always has some effect. "You're going to be living in Chicago for a while," he asked, after a casual chat, changing the subject. "I don't know," answered Carrie uncertainly, and the idea of ​​finding work suddenly flashed through her mind. "A few weeks, anyway," he said, looking long into her eyes. Now they were not simply exchanging feelings with words. He saw in her those indescribable qualities that constitute beauty and charm. And she saw that this man was interested in herself, and this interest makes a woman happy and afraid. .She is very simple, and has not yet learned the little posturing that women use to hide their emotions. In some things, she does seem a little bold. She needs a wise companion to remind her that women are not allowed to stare for so long of man's eyes. "Why do you ask that question?" she asked. "You know, I'm going to be in Chicago for a few weeks. I'm going to look at our store and get some new samples. Maybe I can show you around." "I don't know if you can do it. I mean I don't know if I can. I've got to live with my sister, and..." "Well, if she won't let us, we can do something about it." He produced a pencil and a small notebook, as if everything was settled. "What's your address?" She fumbled for the wallet containing the address. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a thick wallet containing receipts, a mileage book and a roll of banknotes. It made a deep impression on her: none of the men who had courted her before Such a wallet. Really, she had never had any dealings with a man who had been on a big pier, seen the world, seen a lot, and had a lively personality. His wallet, his shiny shoes, his beautiful new The suit, and the manner in which he behaved, all of which vaguely portrayed for her a colorful world centered on him. She couldn't help but feel good about everything he wanted to do. He produced a fine business card with "Barley Carlew & Company" emblazoned on it, and "Charlie H. Drouet" in the lower left hand corner. He put the card in her hand, and pointing to the name on it, said: "This is my name. It should be pronounced Douai. Our family is French from my father's point of view. " She was still looking at the card in her hand as he put away the wallet. Then he drew a bundle of letters from his coat pocket, and drew one from it. "This is the firm for whom I sell," he said. He said, pointing to the picture on the envelope. "At the corner of State Street and Lake Shore Drive." There was pride in his voice. He felt it was amazing to be connected to a place like this, and he let her have one too. This feeling. "Where is your address?" he asked again, pen in hand ready to write it down. She looked at his hands. "Carrie Meebe," she said, "354 West Van Brunn Street, S.C. Hansen Rd." He jotted it down carefully, and then took out his wallet again. "If I came to see you on Monday night, would you be home?" he asked. "I think so," she replied. It is true that words are but a shadow of our inner feelings. They are but little audible chains linking together a multitude of inaudible feelings and intentions. That was the case with these two men. They were talking only briefly After a few words, he took out his wallet and looked at the business card. Both parties did not realize how difficult their true feelings were to express, and neither party was smart enough to read the other's mind. He was not sure whether his flirting was successful or not. And she didn't realize that she was being led by the nose. It wasn't until he took her address out of her mouth that she realized that she had lost a game and he had won a game. They already felt There was some kind of connection between them. He now dominated the conversation, so it was easy to chat casually, and her restraint disappeared. They were almost at Chicago. There were signs of Chicago ahead. The signs flashed past the window. As the train moved across the open, flat prairie, they saw rows of telephone poles leading across the fields to Chicago. From a distance, you can see the towering chimneys in the suburbs of Chicago. From time to time a two-story wooden house rose up in the middle of the open field, alone, without fence or tree shade, as if it were an outpost sent by the coming army of houses. For children, for imaginative people, or for people who have never traveled far, it is a wonderful experience to approach a big city for the first time. Especially in the evening, the mysterious hour of light and night, life is changing from The transition from one state or state to another. Oh, what hope and promise the approaching night gives to those who have toiled all day! All old hopes are always revived at this moment day after day. Those who have toiled all day Saying to myself: "At last I can breathe a sigh of relief. I can have a good time. The street and the lights, the bright dining hall and the dinner are all waiting for me. And the theater, Ballrooms, parties, all kinds of places of rest and means of entertainment, all belong to me at night." Although the body is still locked in the workshop and shop, an excited atmosphere has already rushed outside and permeated the air. Even the most dull People feel things too, even if they don't express or describe well. It's a feeling when a burden is finally lifted from the shoulders. Sister Carrie gazed out of the window, and her companion infected her amazement. Everything is contagious, so he could not help renewing his interest in the city, and pointed out to Carrie the sights and sights of Chicago. "This is Chicago's Northwest Side," said Drouet. "That's the Chicago River." He pointed to a murky creek filled with sailboats from afar. The banks of the wooden poles. The train belched a puff of smoke, and there was a smack of the rails, and the creek was left behind. "Chicago will be a big city," he went on. "What a miracle." .you'll find a lot to see." She was not paying attention to what he had to say. A worry was troubling her. The thought of being alone, far from home, in this ocean of life and struggle was overwhelming. She could not help feeling breathless. A little uncomfortable...because her heart was beating so fast. She half-closed her eyes and tried to tell herself that it wasn't a big deal, that Columbia City, her hometown, wasn't far from here. "Chicago is here!" shouted the brakeman, and opened the door with a whoosh. The train was entering a crowded yard, and the platform was filled with the noise and bustle of life. She began to pack her poor little suitcase, clutching Purse. Drouet rose, kicked his legs, straightened his trousers, and seized his clean yellow suitcase. "Someone in your family will come to fetch you," he said, "and let me carry the suitcase for you." "No," she replied, "I don't want you to mention it. I don't want my sister to see you with me when I meet." "Well," he said kindly, "but I'll be around. In case she doesn't come for you, I can escort you home safely." "It's very kind of you," said Carrie, who felt all the value of such attention in the present strange situation. "Chicago!" cried the brakeman in a drawn-out voice. They were now under a huge carport, lighted in the dimness. Passenger cars were everywhere. The train moved slowly like a snail. Everyone in the car was standing. Get up and rush to the door. "Here we are," said Drouet, leading the way to the door. "Good-bye, and see you on Monday." "Good-bye," she answered, taking his outstretched hand. "Remember, I'll be watching until you find your sister." She smiled at his gaze. He pretended not to notice her as they filed down. A thin-cheeked, plain-looking woman on the platform recognized Carrie and hurried forward to meet her. "Hullo, Sister Carrie!" she cried, followed by the customary embrace of welcome. Carrie felt at once a change in the atmosphere. Though the world was still full of chaos and novelty, she felt the grip of cold reality. There was no light and joy in her world, no one entertainment after another. and recreation. Her sister still bears the marks of toil. "Is the family all right?" her sister began to ask, "How are Mom and Dad?" Carrie answered one by one, but looked away. At the other end of the passage, Drouet was standing by the door leading to the waiting room and the street, looking back in Carrie's direction. When he saw she saw him , Seeing that she was safely reunited with her sister, he left a smile on her, and turned away. Only Carrie saw his smile. He left, and Carrie felt a sense of loss. When he disappeared completely, She felt fully the loneliness that his absence had brought upon her. With her sister, she felt like a boat in a rough and unforgiving sea, alone and helpless.