Chapter 7 Chapter VII The Seduction of Material: The Charm of Beauty

The true meaning of money has yet to be explained and understood by people. Money does not represent the privileges plundered, but only represents the reward a person deserves, that is, the return of honest labor. Only in this situation can money be accepted. If people Anyone can realize this, and many of our social, religious, and political problems will be solved once and for all. As for Carrie, she has as little understanding of the moral meaning of money as anyone else, and has no higher insight." "Money is something that other people have and I must have," the age-old definition sums up all she thinks about the subject. Now she has some money in her hand... two soft sheets Hunk green ten-dollar bills. These two bills made her feel much better off, and this thing itself was a kind of power. Anyone who thought like her, as long as they could get a large bundle of bills, was thrown into the wilderness. The island will be willing. Only after a long period of starvation will she understand that money may be of no use in certain circumstances. Even then, she will not understand the relativity of value. There is no doubt that , she will feel sorry that she has a huge purchasing power but can't use it.

The poor girl was very excited when she parted from Drouet. She was a little ashamed that she had not the courage to refuse, and accepted his money. But because her need was so great, she was glad that she took the money. .Now she can buy a nice new coat! She'll get a nice pair of shoes with concealed buckles, and she'll get stockings, and a dress, and... just like It's the same as calculating how to spend the salary she didn't get, what she wants now is more than twice the purchasing power of the money. She had a good opinion of Drouet's merits. She thought him, as is generally believed, a good-natured fellow. He had no malice, and he gave her money out of kindness, and out of an understanding that she was in dire need of it. Of course, he will not be so generous with a poor boy. But we must not forget that, as usual, a poor boy will not be able to touch his heart as much as a poor girl. The female factor affects his emotions, his Sexuality is natural. But any beggar if he sees it, if the man says, "My God, sir, I'm starving." The matter is forgotten. He will no longer infer, nor philosophize. His thinking activities are not worthy of the words inference and philosophy. When he is well-dressed and strong, he is a happy and carefree A carefree man. Like a moth to a light, after sensual pleasures. But if he loses his job, and is at the mercy of some deceiving social force and fate, he will be as helpless as Carrie...  ...as lonely, as helpless, as pathetic as she is, if you will.

As for the fact that he likes chasing women, he doesn't actually want to hurt them, he doesn't think the kind of relationship he wants to have with them will hurt them. Because he is a ruthless, dark-hearted, scheming villain, but because his natural desires drive him to it, which is his chief pleasure. He is vain, bragging, and like a silly girl in love with fine clothes. .As easily as he could win over a shopgirl, a truly sophisticated rogue would have duped him just as easily. The reputation of the company. He moved buoyantly among the crowd, as enthusiastic as a pot of fire, but he had no talent that could be called wisdom, nor a thought that could be called noble, nor a kind of eternal and lasting Emotions. The ancient Greek poetess Sappho would call him a pig, and Shakespeare would call him: "My playful child." His drunken boss, Papa Galio, thinks he is a smart and successful businessman. In short, He is a good man in his own understanding.

He was open-minded, and of admirable virtue, as Carrie took his money. No crooked, scheming fellow could get her to take a dime under the pretense of friendship. People who are born stupid are not as gullible as we think. The Creator has endowed wild animals with instincts to flee when they encounter sudden danger. Chipmunks have a natural fear of poison in their stupid little heads." God preserves all that he has made," and it's not just about the beast. Carrie is unintelligent, so she's as strong as a stupid sheep. The instinct of self-preservation is usually strong in such a person. But Drouet's approach aroused little, if any, instincts of self-preservation.

After Carrie left, he was glad that he had found her favor. God, it was too shameful for a young girl to be tortured like this. Winter was coming, and there was no clothes to keep out the cold. It was too miserable. He To have a cigar at Fermor's. He thought of her, and his steps became light. Carrie came home in high spirits. She could scarcely conceal her joy. But the money posed some embarrassing problems. How was Minnie going to buy clothes when she knew she had no money? Once back at the apartment, the The problem became clear. There was no way, she couldn't explain it to Minnie.

"What's the result today?" Minnie asked, referring to the day's job hunting. Carrie was not acquainted with the deceitful trick of saying one thing and thinking another. So even if she concealed it, she had to find an excuse that agreed with her mood. Now that she was in such a good mood, she could not pretended to complain, so she said: "It's kind of eye-catching." "Where?" "At the Hanston's store." "Is there really hope?" Minnie pressed. "Tell me to hear the news to-morrow," said Carrie. She did not like to prolong a lie unnecessarily.

Minnie could sense Carrie's joy, and she thought it was an opportune time to explain to Carrie what Hanson thought of her visit to Chicago. "If you can't find a job..." She paused, not knowing what to say. "If I don't get a job right away, I want to go home." Minnie lost no time in saying: "Swen thinks it's better to go back in winter." Carrie understood her situation at once. She was out of work, and they would not keep her. She did not blame Minnie, nor did she blame Hanson very much. Now, as she sat pondering these words, She was glad she had taken Drouet's money.

"Yes," she said again after a while, "I've thought about it for a long time." She didn't tell Minnie, though, that the idea of ​​going home aroused her instinctive revulsion. What was there for her in Columbia City? She had long been familiar with the monotony and narrowness of life. Chicago, the great and mysterious city The city still attracted her like a magnet, and the small part she had seen revealed its infinite opportunities and prospects. The thought of leaving the big city and returning to the old dull and miserable life in Colombia almost disgusted her. to call out.

She came back early that day, so she went to the front room to think about her thoughts. What should she do? She couldn't buy new shoes to wear here. Out of the 20 yuan, she had to keep a little for traveling home, because She didn't want to ask Minnie for a loan. But how was she going to explain to Minnie where the money came from? Let's hope she made enough money to get out of this mess. She thought over and over of her embarrassing situation. To-morrow morning Drouet would expect her to put on a new coat, but it was impossible. The Hansons wanted her to go home, and she wanted to leave them, but she didn't want to go home. She didn't. What would they think of her when she got a job and got money? She now felt as if it was a terrible thing to take Drouet's money, and she began to feel ashamed. Her situation made her unhappy. With Drouet in When we were together, everything was so simple. Now everything is tangled and I can't figure it out... It's even worse than before, because although she has a sum of money that can solve her life problems, she has no use this money.

Her spirits were so low that at supper Minnie fancied that her day had been wasted again. Carrie finally decided to get the money back. It was wrong to take money, and she was going to the city in the morning to look for work. By noon , she would go to Drouet, as they had agreed, and tell him all. Her heart sank at the thought of this decision, and at last she was the same miserable Carrie as before. Strange to say, when she held the money in her hand, she felt a little comfort. Although she had made the decision that made her sad, she could not think about it again, and the twenty dollars still seemed a wonderful and happy gift. Things. Ah, money, money, how wonderful it is to have money. As long as you have a lot of money, all your troubles will disappear.

Early the next morning, she got up early and went out. Her determination to find a job was not small, but the troublesome money in her pocket did not make the job easier. She walked into the wholesale business district, but every time When she walked up to a firm, intending to go in and apply for a job, her courage disappeared. She called herself a coward, but she had applied so many times and the result was not the same. walked, and at last entered a firm. The result was the same. She came out feeling that fate was against her, and that all her efforts were in vain. Without much thought, she strolled to Dibon Street. There was a big shopping mall here, with carts scattered outside the door, a long row of windows, and crowds of customers. All this immediately changed her mind, and she didn't want to. Think again about the questions that bored her. She had intended to come here to buy new clothes. Now, to relieve her worries, she decided to go in and have a look. She wanted to see the coats very much. Sometimes, even though a person has money at hand, he is driven by desire to buy something, but he may be hindered by his conscience, or he may not be able to make up his mind, so he keeps weighing in his heart and is not in a hurry to buy it. There is no such thing in the world. Much more pleasant than this in-between state. Carrie was in the mood as she wandered among the pretty displays in the shop. The place had made a good impression on her when she was last here. Now, she no longer rushes past those pretty things. She stops before everything, with a woman's heart eagerly longing for them. How lovely she would look in this dress. Oh, how charming that one would be to her again! When she came to the breast-dresser, and saw those beautifully made, colorful, and lace-trimmed corsages, she stopped and fell into a rich reverie. As long as she She could buy one now, if she could make up her mind. She lingered long again at the jewelry counter, admiring the earrings, bracelets, brooches, and gold chains. What price would she be willing to pay to have them all? Well. As long as she wears a few pieces of this kind of jewelry, she will also look gorgeous. It was the coats that attracted her most. As soon as she entered the store, she saw a small tan coat with large mother-of-pearl buttons. This style was very fashionable this autumn. But she still intending to look more, to see if there was anything better than this one. Walking up and down among the glass cases and racks where the dresses were displayed, she was satisfied that the one she had set her sights on was indeed the most suitable. She hesitated. , could not make up her mind, trying to convince herself that she could buy the dress if she wanted to, and then remembering her actual situation. It was almost noon, and she still hadn't bought anything. Now she should go to See Drouet, and give him back the money. Drouet was standing at the turn of the street when she got there. "Huh," he said, "hey, where's the coat you bought?" He looked down at her feet again, "and the shoes?" Carrie had intended to indirect the subject of her decision to return the money, but Drouet's question disturbed all her plans. "I've come to tell you that I... I can't take that money." "Well, that's the way it is," he answered. "Well, you come with me, and we'll go to Partridge's together." Carrie walked with him, forgetting all her doubts and helplessness. With him, she could not think about serious matters, things she wanted to explain to him. "Have you had your lunch? You certainly haven't. Come, let's go in here." With these words Drouet turned and entered a nicely furnished restaurant on Monroe Street near State Road. "I can't take the money," said Carrie, after they had sat down in a comfortable corner, and Drouet had ordered lunch, "I couldn't get those things out at my sister's. They . . . .I can't let them know where these things come from." "So what are you going to do?" He smiled, "No clothes for the winter?" "I think I must go home," she said listlessly. "Come on, don't think about it," he said. "You've thought too much about it. I'll tell you what to do. You say you can't wear these clothes there. Why don't you rent a furnished room , how about leaving the clothes there for a week?" Carrie shook her head. Carrie, like other women, objected to the proposal, and she needed to be persuaded. And he had to do his best to reassure her and clear the way for her to proceed. "Why are you going back?" he asked. "You see, I can't find any work here." "Aren't they willing to keep you?" he asked intuitively. "They can't keep it," said Carrie. "I'll tell you what to do," said he, "you come with me, and I'll take care of you." Carrie listened to him without objection. Drouet's words seemed to open a door for her in her particular situation, and she found them very agreeable. Drouet's disposition and inclinations, it seemed, He hits her nicely. He's clean. Beautiful. Well dressed. Compassionate and talks to her like an old friend. "What can you do when you get back to Columbia City?" he went on. His words brought back to Carrie's mind the dreary scene of life in that little place back home. "There's nothing there. Chicago is where there's a lot to do. Here you can find a nice room to live in, buy some clothes, and then find something to do." Carrie looked at the bustling road outside the window. Outside is an amazing big city, as long as you have money, everything is so beautiful. A gorgeous carriage passed by the window, and two big brown and red horses in good spirits drove happily Pulling, a young lady sat on the cushion inside the carriage. "What good will it do you if you go back?" asked Drouet. There was no dark hint in his words. It seemed to him that once she went back she would have no chance of obtaining what he considered valuable. Carrie sat quite still, looking out of the window. She wondered if there was anything else she could do. They hoped she would be back this week. Drouet changed the subject and began to talk about the clothes she wanted to buy. "Why don't you buy yourself a nice little coat? It's a must. I lent you the money, so you don't have to worry about taking my money. You can find yourself a nice room, I'll won't hurt you." Carrie understood what Drouet meant, but could not express herself. She felt that nothing could be more difficult than her present situation. "If only I could find something to do," she said. "If you stay," continued Drouet, "you might. But if you go away, you won't find employment. If they won't let you stay any longer, why don't you let me find you a place?" What about the nice room? I won't bother you...you needn't be afraid. Then when you're settled down, you might find a job." He looked at her pretty face, and his thoughts became lively and quick. In his opinion, she is really a lovely little person... There is no doubt about it. A kind of magical power. She is different from those ordinary female workers, she is not stupid. In fact, Carrie's imagination was richer than his, and her taste was more refined. Her emotions were delicate, so she was sad and lonely. Natural charm. "Do you think I can find something to do?" she asked. "Of course," he said, reaching out to pour tea into her cup, "I'll help you." She looked at him, and he smiled reassuringly at her. "Now you see what to do. We'll go to Partridge's here and pick out your clothes. Then we'll go find you a house together. You can leave your things there. We'll go and see tonight. play." Carrie shook her head. "Then you go back to your sister's apartment. You don't have to live in a rented room, but to store your things." But she still hesitated until the meal was over. "Now let's go and look at the clothes," he said. So they went together. Carrie was immediately captivated by the dazzling array of new clothes rustling in the shop. After a good lunch, and Drouet's lively company, she began to feel that his proposal It was all right. After wandering around the store, she picked out a coat that was very similar to the one she had seen in a big mall. It looked even more beautiful in her hands. The saleswoman helped her It happened to fit me perfectly. Drouet could not help smiling, seeing Carrie enhanced by it: she looked very pretty. "That's the good thing," he said. Carrie turned before the mirror. She could not help being delighted to see herself in the mirror, and a blush of joy crept up her cheeks. "Just buy this one," said Drouet, "and pay for it." "It's nine dollars," said Carrie. "Never mind, buy it," said Drouet. She reached into her purse and took out a bill. The clerk asked her if she wanted to wear it and left, and she came back a few minutes later: the dress was ready. From Partridge's they went to a shoe shop. Drouet stood by and watched while Carrie tried on the shoes. When he saw that they looked good on Carrie's feet, he said, "Just Wear these." But Carrie shook her head, thinking of her sister's. He bought her a purse, and a pair of gloves, and made her buy stockings. "To-morrow," he said, "you come here and buy a dress." Carrie was always a little apprehensive about buying this and that. The deeper she got into this emotional entanglement, the more she deluded herself into imagining that it was all right as long as she didn't do what she hadn't done. Since she If she didn't do those things, she still had a chance to get away. Drouet knew of a place to let rooms in Walbust Road. He led Carrie outside the house, and said, "Now you are my sister." He looked here and there as he chose a room, Expressing his opinions, the renting business was settled easily. "Her box will be delivered in a day or two," he said to the landlady. The landlady was very happy. When they were alone, Drouet's manner did not change at all. He talked like a common friend, and still looked on in the street. Carrie left his things there. "Listen," said Drouet, "won't you move in to-night?" "Well, that won't work," replied Carrie. "why not?" "I don't want to leave them like this." He brought up the subject again as they walked along the boulevard. It was a warm afternoon, the wind died down, and the sun came out. From Carrie's conversation he had a detailed and correct idea of ​​the atmosphere in her sister's house. "Move out," he said, "they won't mind. I'll help you." She listened, and gradually her doubts disappeared. He would show her around and help her find a job. He really believed he would. She could go to work while he was out selling goods . "Come, I'll tell you what to do," he said. "Go back there, grab your things, and get out of there." She had thought long and hard about the proposal, and at last agreed. He would go to Beria Street and wait for her there. They agreed to meet at eight-thirty. At five-thirty she was home. At six her resolution was firm. up. "So you didn't get the job?" said Minnie, referring to the Boston Co. job that Carrie had made up the day before. Carrie glanced at her out of the corner of her eye. "No," she answered. "I don't think you'll have to look any further this fall," said Minnie. Carrie made no answer. When Han Sheng returned home, he still had an inscrutable expression on his face. He took a bath without saying a word, and then went aside to read the newspaper. During dinner, Carrie was a little restless, and she planned to leave for her. At the same time, she deeply felt that she was not welcome here. "Have you found a job yet?" Han Sheng asked. "No," He turned his face away to continue eating, thinking that it would be a burden to keep her here. She had to go home, that's all. This time, she won't come again next spring. Carrie was terrified of what she was about to do. But she felt relieved at the thought that her life here was over. They would not mind her, and especially Hanson would be glad that she was gone. He would not Whatever happens to her. After dinner, she went into the bathroom to write a note, where they would not bother her. "Goodbye, Minnie," she wrote in the note. "I'm not coming home. I'm going to live in Chicago for a while looking for work. Don't worry. I'll be fine." In the front room Hanson was reading the paper. Carrie helped Minnie wash the dishes and tidy the room as usual. Then she said: "I want to stand at the gate downstairs for a while." When she said this, her voice trembled a little. Minnie remembered Han Sheng's warning. "Swan thinks it's a little unseemly for a girl to stand downstairs," she said. "Is that so?" said Carrie, "I shall never go again." She put on her hat, and hesitated for a moment at the table in the cubicle, not knowing where to put the note. At last she put it under Minnie's hairbrush. She went out of the room, shut the door of the outer hall, and could not help stopping, wondering what they would think of it. Her own outrageous behavior also made her emotional. Slowly she went down the stairs. At the door, she again Turning back, she looked up at the stairs under the light. Then she walked forward slowly pretending to be walking on the road. When the road turned, she quickened her pace. When she left in a hurry, Han Sheng returned to his wife. "Has Carrie gone down to the gate again?" he asked. "Yes," said Minnie, "she promised not to." He walked up to the baby, who was playing on the floor. So he stretched out his finger to tease the baby. Drouet was waiting at the bend in the road, very excited. "Hello, Carrie," he cried, seeing the lively figure of a girl approaching him, "everything is all right, isn't it? Come, we'll hail a cab."