探讨《嘉莉妹妹》中自然主义的三个特征

２００６年９月号下旬刊摘要：本文从自然主义的三个特点：欲望、遗传和环境分析了《嘉莉妹妹》中在芝加哥市部分的自然主义特色。

关键词：自然主义欲望遗传环境自然主义文学强调遗传和环境是决定人物命运的主要力量，人的动物本能欲望优先于理智和自由意愿引导人的行为。

一部《嘉莉妹妹》就是一个美丽朴质、只带有少量行李、离家出走的少女———嘉莉与环境搏斗的故事。

嘉莉就像“风中的小草”在两个繁华大都市———芝加哥和纽约之间闯荡谋生，正应合了自然主义作家把人物刻画成渺小的动物，并把它置身于庞大的自然环境之中，从而显示人物的无助和无望，并为了生存，可不择一切手段，为了发展，置传统伦理道德于不顾，可像动物一样发挥本能，本能欲望成了主人公的主要价值取向。

在小说中影响嘉莉的命运有两种力量：一是对快乐的强烈追求和欲望。

把她指进城市的一直是她那快乐原则的本性，嘉莉也是有动物欲望和本能的女人，她从未清楚地知道自己追求的目标，只是她的本能驱使着她一直向前，她在追求的过程中，并不是主动，她没有情感和爱情；二是社会经济环境，即成与败、奢与贫、幸福与遭难的强烈对比。

这种力量一开始就起作用，她遇到富有的杜洛埃时，她发觉真是不平等。

自己身上朴素的蓝衣裳，棉布带子，真是寒酸透了。

杜洛埃对芝加哥市的环境夸张描述让她发觉“幻想中的痛苦”，产生不平等或低人一等的感觉，于是她感叹：“钱，钱，钱！多诱人的东西！要有这东西，可以免掉多少麻烦！”因此，为了追求物质的成功，实现她对快乐的向往，她便不惜牺牲自己的良心和贞洁。

作者德莱塞从一名职业记者转向小说创作，从一开始就与当时盛行的文学和文化观点不同，他根据当记者的所见所闻，真实地再现生活，有别于当时的“阳春白雪”———宣扬文明的文学语言和高尚的道德。

他在创作《嘉莉妹妹》时，完全按照嘉莉的欲望来发展情节的，从嘉莉向往大城市的生活而进城，到受到杜洛埃的诱惑而想摆脱困境，到嘉莉追求更美好的生活被赫斯渥经理所迷惑，最后由嘉莉追求婚姻迫使赫斯渥行窃而败走纽约，无不是为了实现她的本能欲望。

2017.05美国自然主义文学流派产生于19世纪90年代,从美国著名评论家麦考利的《美国自然主义的自然历史》一文中可以看出:美国自然主义的产生和发展虽然深受法国自然主义的影响,但又有其美国文学的自身特点,其中有六点被美国著名学者洛德.W.霍顿认为是美国自然主义作品通常具有的特征,它们是“执意的客观性、坦率性、决定论哲学观、描写具有鲜明动物本性的性格特征的人物、悲观主义、对素材的超道德态度”。

一般评论家认为,只要达到其中几条标准,作品便可被认为是“自然主义的”。

《嘉利妹妹》是美国著名的现实主义作家西奥多·德莱塞的第一部小说,它大胆地、淋漓尽致地描写了19世纪末20世纪初资本主义迅速发展中的美国社会现实,并成功地塑造了男女主人公嘉利、赫斯渥的真实、丰满的人物形象,因而被认为是美国文学史上最优秀的现实主义小说之一。

但和作者后期其他现实主义题材小说相比,《嘉利妹妹》集中反映了作者自然主义哲学观,并不同程度地体现出上述几个美国自然主义特征。

本文试从小说的纪实性、机械决定论哲学观,人物的动物性特征、超道德态度等几个方面来分析小说中的自然主义写作风格。

美国自然主义文学流派强调纪实性,而素材的真实性及典型社会环境的渲染正是小说《嘉利妹妹》的一个显著特色。

小说讲述的是在当时美国社会普通却具有典型意义的故事。

19世纪末,美国正由以农业为主的社会变成以城市为中心的社会,机械化生产大大提高了效率,农村多余劳动力不断进入城市。

主人公嘉利原是一位思想单纯的乡村姑娘,但不满于农村贫穷、落后的生活环境,对大都市的“美好”生活充满着憧憬和渴望,她只身来到芝加哥,以寻求理想中的物质“幸福”。

然而,严酷的现实破碎了她的美梦,迎接她的是失业和疾病。

生活的艰辛和命运的捉弄使她先后委身于推销员杜鲁埃和上流酒吧的经理赫斯渥。

赫斯渥携带偷得的巨款和嘉利出逃到纽约,被警方截获。

他交还了其中大部分钱后,便一蹶不振,最后自杀身亡。

而嘉利却在一个偶然机会中在百老汇的舞台上一炮而红,名利双收。

《嘉莉妹妹》中西奥多·德莱赛式自然主义摘要：美国作家西奥多・德莱塞被认为是美国自然主义文学的杰出代表。

论文从《嘉莉妹妹》的历史文化背景出发，研究《嘉莉妹妹》中表现出来的自然主义思想。

论文涉及小说的主要背景，同时分析自然主义的三大特点，得出结论：《嘉莉妹妹》中主人公嘉莉妹妹的最终命运与德莱塞本人的命运息息相关。

认真探究自然主义在《嘉莉妹妹》中的运用，对我们进一步了解美国文学史上的自然主义有着重要意义。

关键词：西奥多・德莱塞；《嘉莉妹妹》；自然主义I106.4 A 1673-2596（2014）01-0197-03一、传统自然主义《嘉莉妹妹》是西奥多・德莱塞继承传统写作模式的一部杰作。

作为自然主义小说家，西奥多・德莱赛大多数的作品都反应了自然主义的特点。

达尔文主义，宿命论都在他的作品中得以体现，当然《嘉莉妹妹》也不例外。

然而在《嘉莉妹妹》中，德莱塞还挑战美国传统文学以形成他自己的自然主义风格。

在这部小说中，作者描述了理性，自由意志和本能之间的关系，我们能发现主人公嘉莉最终屈从于推销员杜洛埃，这表明本能最后还是战胜了自由意志。

（一）美国传统自然主义的产生和发展按《中国大百科全书――外国文学》所说，自然主义是一个“具有现代含义的文艺流派”[1]。

19世纪60年代它首先在法国产生，19世纪90年代这股自然主义的风潮波及到美国文坛，“自然主义开始在美国小说创作中流行并逐渐引起人们的关注，涌现出史蒂芬・克莱恩、弗兰克・诺里斯、杰克・伦敦、西奥多・德莱赛等著名作家”[2]。

自然主义最初是古典哲学中的一个概念，用于指一切性质的物质主义，享乐主义和世俗主义。

自然主义还被运用到美术领域。

法国小说家左拉首先提出自然主义这一概念，标志着自然主义从艺术领域进入文学批评领域。

他认为人类并没有获得真正意义上的自由，相反，人类的生活，观点和道德都受到社会、经济、心理等方面因素的影响[3]。

德莱塞被认为是美国自然主义的先驱，他的思想受达尔文进化论和斯宾塞社会学的影响，在文学创作中成功沿用了左拉的自然主义思想，并且形成了具有美国特色的自然主义的文学流派。

《嘉莉妹妹》中的自然主义倾向浅析发表时间：2009-03-25T09:19:48.903Z 来源：《青年文学家》2009年第2期供稿作者：赵廷[导读] 《嘉莉妹妹》写于达尔文主义盛行时期，都直接来源于达尔文理论的进化论观点。

一.作品的创作背景《嘉莉妹妹》写于达尔文主义盛行时期，小说中的很多主题——斗争、生存和欲望，都直接来源于达尔文理论的进化论观点。

同时《嘉莉妹妹》创作于美国自然主义成熟时期——19世纪末期，美国自然主义受法国自然主义的影响，强调人的特质是由遗传决定的，行为受到社会和经济环境的支配，德莱塞在每一部作品中都充分体现了这种自然主义风格。

他充满坎坷的一生使他有机会观察社会的各个方面，从纸醉金迷的上层社会到饥寒交迫的底层社会。

二.《嘉莉妹妹》独特的自然主义作为一个自然主义小说家，德莱塞在他的大部分作品中都反映了自然主义特点。

达尔文主义和宿命论的主题以及他笨拙的语言风格是他小说的共同点，当然在《嘉莉妹妹》中也有体现。

但是，他又不断地挑战着传统的美国文学和信念，从而形成了《嘉莉妹妹》中独特的自然主义风格——理智、自由意志和本能之间的关系以及德莱塞的进化论道德观。

1.理智、自由意志和本能之间的关系在《嘉莉妹妹》中，德莱塞详细描述了理智、自由意志和本能之间的关系：当人的本能与理智发生冲突时，本能总是占上风；而自由意志总是徒劳的，服从于本能。

受达尔文主义的影响，德莱塞在《嘉莉妹妹》中展示了人的动物本能。

小说主人公嘉莉，18岁时怀着对大城市繁华生活的向往，登上了开往芝加哥的火车，并在火车上遇到了衣冠华丽的德鲁埃。

但是，迎接她的只有姐姐家的贫困潦倒，她不得不到一个鞋厂自谋生路。

之后，德鲁埃又提出要为她租一套房子，这对失去工作又无法在姐姐家继续住下去的嘉莉无疑是一个诱惑，她别无选择，只得委身于德鲁埃。

她的屈从说明社会和经济条件剥夺了她自由选择的意愿，因此，自由意志最终被本能战胜。

嘉莉的第二个情人赫斯特伍德也是一个缺乏理智的人，他受本能欲望的驱使，陷入情海，不能自拔，他为得到嘉莉所采取的每一个行动都是本能对理智的胜利。

Dresier’s Naturalism in Sister Carrie摘要：美国作家西奥多德莱赛被认为美国自然主义的杰出代表，本文以其第一部小说《嘉莉妹妹》为例分析德莱赛自然主义德一些特征。

论文从德莱赛创作嘉莉妹妹的历史文化背景出发，研究德莱赛在《嘉莉妹妹》中表现出来的自然主义。

论文涉及该小说的两大背景：一是达尔文主义和宿命论；二是美国自然主义。

同时分析自然主义的三大特点：欲望，本能和环境，人的本能欲望迫使人一直想往更高处走，动物的本能可能迫使人为了达到目的不择手段的使用各种计策，大的环境直接决定了这个人的命运以及他最后是否能够获得成功。

通过对这三方面德分析，最后得出结论：《嘉莉妹妹》一文中的主人公嘉莉在欲望的驱使下，使用各种手段最后虽然获得了成功，但是她最后却始终与孤独相伴。

同时本文还对自然主义存在的缺陷进行了批判，自然主义过分强调悲观主义决定论和人性兽性化。

这些倾向势必会影响到读者在阅读自然主义作品中对人性的分析和评价。

因此，读者应秉承凡事都有两面性的原则，对人性本善充满信心，看到人性中真善美的一面。

关键词自然主义；环境因素；遗传因素；欲望Abstract：Theodore Dreiser is regarded as an outstanding representative of American naturalism. In this thesis, Dreiser’s first novel Sister Carrie is taken as an example to analyze the features of Dreiser’s naturalism. The thesis referred to two great historical and cultural background of the novel which are Darwinism，Determinism. American Naturalism. Meanwhile the thesis analyzes three features of naturalism. At last, we can draw the conclusion that the leading character of the novel-Carrie’s destiny has a great connection with Dreiser himself and the decline of Hurstwood is a result of Dreiser’s fear of failure, but Dreiser attributes Carrie and Hurstwood’s unhappiness to their insatiable desire for life or they are doomed to be unhappy etc, and from which we can see Dreiser’s naturalism easily.At the same time, the paper criticize the shortcomings of naturalism. Naturalism pays too much attention to the determinism and human beast. These factors may cause effects on the reading of the readers. Therefore,readers should have an exact attitude in reading Sister Carrie.Key Words:Naturalism; Environment; Hereditary; DesireContentsⅠ. Introduction (1)Ⅱ.Environmental Factors for Carrie (5)2.1The Living Environmental Factors--the Lure of the Big City (5)2.2 The Social Environment Factors -the Lure of Love (6)2.3.The Work Environmental Factor--the lure of chances (7)Ⅲ.Hereditary Factors for Carrie (8)3.1A Gift of Beauty (9)3.2A Sentimental Hear (10)3.3An Endless Desire (11)Ⅳ.Critique for Sister Carrie (13)4.1Critique of Pessimistic Determinism (14)4.2Critique of the Concept of Human Beast (15)Ⅴ.Conclusion (17)Bibliography (19)Ⅰ.IntroductionAt the very beginning of the paper, it is of importance to introduce Sister Carrie. Sister Carrie is the first novel of Dresier, it was seemed as the beginning work of his naturalism. This novel takes the development of the industry of American city as the background, describes a story that a beautiful girl come to Chicago and the process that she succeed in the high level society. Dresier pays more attention to the influence of Carrie’s fate of environment factors and heredity factors. These two factors are the main features of Naturalism. Naturalism is evolved from realism and it is the outgrowth of realism. It appeared at the end of the 19th century, came from France. It was influenced by Charles Darwin theory of evolution. Human life was governed by the two crushing forces of heredity and environment, this ideal was picked up by writers in different countries. They held that realism was too genteel in tone to reveal the harsh reality. Then, they ushered a literary movement called Naturalism. The major features of naturalism is that determinism. The second one is that the universe is cold, godless, indifferent and hostile to human desires. Life becomes a struggle of survival. The last one is that naturalism is a harsher and extreme form of realism. The main figures of naturalism are Stephen Crane, Frank Norris and Theodore Dresier. Besides that, it is easy to understand that naturalism has many limitations. The purpose of this paper is to discuss Sister Carrie with critical eyes, criticizing pessimistic determinism and the concept of human beast as reflected in the novel.Except for the introduction and conclusion, this paper includes three chapters. The first and second chapter describe the obvious factors that decide Carrie’s fate: one is environmental factors, the other is heredity factors. The first chapter discusses that environmental factor have a great influence on Carrie’s life. It tells people that one man would success if she is in an advantageous environment. On the opposite, she will be fail in fate. This paper discusses three different environmental factors that include living environment, social environment and work environment. The reason why Carrie gets succeed in big city just becauseof these factors fit for her properly.Chapter two discusses the naturalistic heredity factors for Carrie. There is one famous principle for naturalism. That is, hereditary decides fate. Like Darwin’s evolution theory, one person will survive if he adapt for the environment, or he will be out. It is obvious that Carrie has many advantages, such as her appearance, her cleverness and so on. All of these factors make her adapt for the environment well. And she also has a desire for enjoying the life of the big city. And her success in the big city proves to readers that “only the fittest can be survived from natural selection.”Chapter three criticizes the naturalism’s limitations as reflected in Sister Carrie. Firstly, this paper criticizes the pessimistic determinism of naturalism. It believes that human being is helpless. They are all controlled by environment and heredity which they live in. Therefore, no matter how hard work they are, they still not change their fate.Because of these factors, human being should keep optimistic attitude in daily life. Secondly, this paper criticizes the naturalistic idea that human being as a beast-like creature, which regards human being as a combination of beast and human.The conclusion makes a summary and tells readers that the paper’s practical significance. Nowadays, with the development of market-oriented economy, many young women have the similar fate with Carrie. A lot of girls come to the big city from countryside, they may be lured by the prosperous city. In fact, people must keep a sober mind and be a independent woman. Everyone should believe in themselves and try one’s best to change the environment they live in. Therefore, everyone can be a new man, can be the master of their life.Ⅱ.Environmental Factors for CarrieOne of the most outstanding feature of naturalism is that the environment plays an important role on one’s fate. For example,Theodore Dresier has written another book—Jannie Gerhardt, which is seen as the sister of Sister Carrie. Dresier has been said that”all of us are more or less pawns. We are moved that like chessman by circumstance over which we have no control”. This sentence has always been regard as the center of naturalism. In another words, it emphasis on the determination of environment. A lot of famous books about the naturalism point out the negative effect of the environment on each person. For instance, in Stephen Crane’s The Red Badage of Courage, the novel presents character of low social and economic classes who were controlled by their environment and heredity. However, the novel not only shows readers the picture of Carrie’s down, but also shows the process of Carrie’s success. Chapter one mainly contribute to discussing how the environment factors play important role in Carrie’s success.2.1 The Living Environmental Factors--the Lure of the Big CityNaturalism pays more attention on people’s living environment, believing that one’s living environments influence one’s fate enormously.Carrie was born in a working family of a flour mill. She lived a poor life in her hometown. Her father was a worker worked in a flour factory. No matter what hard life she lived , she still had the hope for the luxurious life of the big city. At the same time, her sister resided in Chicago. Therefore, she made a decision to go to Chicago to get to a job in order to have a better life. Then, she left her mother and father, her hometown and went to Chicago. In Chicago, there were colorful theaters, supermarket and dancing room in this big city. The jewelers were shining and bright behind the glass. The business opportunity and wide rage of goods made the city be full of attraction. As Theodore Dresier described in the book:Its many and growing commercial opportunities gave it widespread fame, which made of it a gaint magut, drawing to itself from all quarters, the hopeless-those who had their fortune yet to make and those fortunes and affairs had reached a disastrous climax elsewhere.(Sister Carrie,1965:206-207)When Carrie arrived in Chicago, Mr.Drouet told her that Chicago was a wonder , and that she will find lots to see. Even her sister told her”You will want to see the city”. She come there, she come to the big web of Chicago in order to pursue a happy life. The prosperous parties , lights, dinners, theaters attracted her.When Carrie begun to look for a job, she found it is hard for her to get a job because all of the work ask for experience. In the meantime, she lived in her sister’s house that was not comfortable. She had to pay for her board and lodging expenses. After one week, she got a job which was very boring and hard. Although that,she can only got 4.5dollars one week and 90percent of the salary should be given to her sister. She walked to the factory to work. Her brother-in-law’s indifference had never change since she come. He only cared about if Carrie can pay for her fee in his family. In Dreiser’s work, Carrie just live in such an environment.Opposite to her hometown, Chicago is a prosperous city that is full of attraction. What makes Carrie indulge in are those beautiful cinemas, magnificent hotels, extravagant and comfortable restaurants. All those attractive things embody much luxury and richness of the city, which makes her pursue succeed in another aspect, for Carrie, only those prosperous metropolis are the most suitable habitable palace to live, because the luxury atmosphere satisfy her vanity and show her talent in drama. Therefore, some big cities, such as Chicago and New York,could offer Carrie a favorable environment to succeed.2.2 The Social Environment Factors -the Lure of LoveEnvironmental factors also include the influence which come from the character’s social relationships. Zola has pointed out that human beings are social animals, which are not independence from the outside and also can not be exist without others. Each individual exist in the society, which will influence ones in almost each aspect. Therefore, the social environment , such as one’s living environment, which play a decisive role in one’s fate. In another words, the social environment who was in will affect one’s value system, and stimulate one to pursuit one’s success.At the very beginning of the novel, Carrie left her hometown and come back to her sister who dwelt in Chicago. In Chicago, she lived in a cramped little apartment with her sister’s husband and her sisters. After several twists and turns, she had not get a job. Therefore,she made a decision to leave her sister’s house and to go for Drouet, she learned much knowledge about clothing and etiquette. All these knowledge helped her adapt the taste of this city. However, the persons who helped Carrie become fashionable not only because of her two lovers, but also because of two neighbors of her. Compared with Drouet and Hustwood, the neighbors and friends played more important roles on her. They inculcated Carrie to pursuit magnificent clothes and fortune, and made her cultivate a keen sense of touch and a elegant taste of fashion. For example, Mrs.hale, a neighbor she met in Chicago, helped her know how to appreciate fashion. All above these help her got to where she wants to go.2.3The Work Environmental Factor--the Lure of ChancesThe reason why Carrie can succeed in her career is that she has many chances which are unexpected. First, when Carrie took a train to Chicago, she met Drouet, a person that led her to a luxurious way. Second, when Carrie become the mistress of Drouet, Drouet introduced Hustwood to her, Of course, it was unexpected that Hustood fell love with Carrie at the first sight. The next Hustwood took many measure to let Carrie love him. Third, On occasion, Drouet had got a task to find a beautiful woman to play a drama. Naturally, he recommended Carrie to play the drama. From then on, Carrie’s ability of performance was showed to everyone. Especially in New York, Carrie mastered every chance to change her fate. She worked hard in order to perform the drama well. All her endeavor made her be a famous performer.Carrie is women who has strong ambition and her ability is also very strong. She is a county girl at first, She is clever so that she do not speak and observe how the person do in city. She observe the fashionable girl‘s appearance, their clothes, their speech. It is a exact thing that the appearance is an important thing in big city. After Drouet and Hustwood shelp, she choose the clothes that fit her well. Then Carrie become the symbol of all that is fresh, pure and beautiful, Carrie is so clever that she master every chance .The first chance she leave for her sister s family and go to Drouet’s department. She fells the city’s prosperous slightly. The second chance, she accept Hustwood’s love, she understood that only the people who has more knowledge can give her more colorful experience and life. This choice make her come to the center of the world---New York. The third chance is that leave Hustwood. Carrie leave Hustwood and choose to made his Broadway by herself.In fact, give up a person who you loved deeply is not an easy thing. Carrie maybe become a housewife if she does not leave Hustwood. Therefore Carrie is girl who know what she really want to have .Ⅲ.Hereditary Factors for CarrieHereditary Factors is another important factors of Naturalism. It is known to us that Naturalism is evolved from Darwin’s evolutionary. Therefore, it emphasis on the determination of naturalistic hereditary factors. In the novel, Dresier believes that Carrie s behavior is determined by arbitrarily and should not have a standard. On the basic of Darwin’s evolutionary, human beings are evolved from lower animals. There is not a god to judge who is wrong or right. One individual ’s fate is determined by heredity factors. Many authors have argued for the inevitability of man s competition from the premise that in the struggle for existence among animal species, only the fittest survive. Carrie’s beautiful appearance, her gift of performance, her desire of the better life, proves that she is a lucky dog of the society. Her success in big cities set out to people the marrow of Darwin’s evolutionary theory, that is, species develop from generation to generation by a process of natural selection .Zola has pointed out all the motivations of one’s actions can be traced back to one’s heredity, in The Experiment Novel. That is, for individual, heredity factors not only determine one’s temper and hobby,but also determine one’s achievement in one’s life.3.1 A Gift of BeautyFor women, especially for beautiful women, to become an actress is their biggest dream. In fact, actress is an occupation that almost each woman can not refused. Being an actress, Carrie can show her ability of performance to audience; Carrie can release herself on the stage; Carrie can enjoy herself through each play. As the saying goes,”A crow is never the writer for washing herself often.” It is referred to that all the factors lead her to the way of success, include beauty and rich feelings, are all from heredity.Firstly, Carrie’s beauty is one of the inevitable factors of her career as a player in the metropolis. Except for her sister’s husband, a man who is overthrew by pressure,almost each man she meet is greatly admired by her beauty. From the very beginning of the novel, Carrie met Drouet on the train. Drouet was allured by Carrie just because her beauty and then fell in love with Carrie at the first sight. He helped Carrie out of the dilemma at the next. Then Carrie become a clever girl in the city from a county girl. Of course, she had a success in the metropolis which paid more attention to one’s appearance just because her beauty. For instance, when Carrie had a chance to play a drama, the manager chose her although she had never accepted professional training of actress. If her appearance was common, even ugly, the manager was sure not choose her to play the drama. When Drouet introduced Carrie to Hustwood, Hustwood was attracted by Carrie’s beauty. He often visit Carrie when Drouet was not at home. He showed his love to Carrie and write many letters to express his deep love for Carrie. What attracted Hustwood most was Carrie’s beauty. Since loved Carrie, Hustwood lost patience of his family. When his lie exposed, he got into trouble that he dared that Carrie will not see him forever. He felt life was meaningless at once. All his thoughts and actions showed to readers that the importance of Carrie. When Hustwood want to leave for Chicago, he took Carrie with him.Carrie had a bigger stage to show her gift. Therefore, her beauty which was from heredity is the inevitable factors of Carrie’s success.3.2 A Sentimental HeartExcept for Carrie’s beauty, her rich emotion is another important factors of her way on the stage. As everyone knows, performance is an activity that the player should devote abundant emotion to the drama.T here is no doubt that Carrie is a girl who was born with emotional heart. Her imitation ability shows her perfectly. It is very important that a good actor should have a emotional heart. Only have a emotional heart, can a actor play the play well. If Carrie does not have a emotional heart, she can not act the role vividly. Of course, she will not chose by the big boss,and she also can not become a famous actress.When Carrie saw Drouet at first time, she knew that she was a common girl came from country so that there was nothing important what she desired. The experience of feeling in finding a job hit her deeply. She realized that if she becomes a graceful lady, she will integrate into society quickly. At this time, her gift began to guide her keeping up with the fashionable pioneer who around her. For example, she began to imitate how the neighbors dress up, how to walk, how to make up and so on. She improved her understanding of fashion by studying these details. Later, her outstanding imitation caught the eyeball of the drama theater manager and the audience successfully. Her ability laid a foundation for a famous actress and a model.For an actress, imitation is not enough. In the novel, Carrie is shaped into a sensitive woman who is easy to be moved and a woman who is full of fantasy. Thus, if her nature is cultivated slightly, her splendid career of drama will be accomplished. For Carrie, her success bases not only on her imitation of beauty in the play. What more important is that her perception of beauty in daily life. Exactly, the bridge between this two abilities is her rich imagination.As mentioned in this novel, the first time when Carrie had the opportunity to act Rola on the stage,she felt excited. And these complicated and painful emotion is exactly what Laura felt after her experience. Carrie’s rich imagination made her put herself into the experience of the Roller. Then she finished her first performance in AveryHall.3.3 An Endless DesireIn sister Carrie’s creation, Dresier put human instinct desire in it. In social life at that time,people’s desire lead Carrie walk a way of struggle for herself. As mentioned in the novel:It was in August, 1889. She was eighteen years of age, bright, timid, and full of the illusions of ignorance and youth. Whatever touch of regret at parting characterised her thoughts, it was certainly not for advantages now being given up. A gush of tears at her mother's farewell kiss, a touch in her throat when the cars clacked by the flour mill where her father worked by the day, a pathetic sigh as the familiar green environs of the village passed in review, and the threads which bound her so lightly to girlhood and home were irretrievably broken.(Sister Carrie,1965:103-107)To be sure there was always the next station, where one might descend and return. There was the great city, bound more closely by these very trains which came up daily. ”In such a materialistic city, it makes person’s desire bigger and bigger. Person may give up anything in order to satisfy one’s desire.In Sister Carrie, Dresier incisively and vividly shows the desires driven by different people. The description shows that different people have different attitude and they suffered the different fate.At first, Carrie wanted to get a job in Chicago. As a girl come from country, she had not many requirements. After she found a job, she thought the job was so boring and made her tired. Then she chose to become the mistress of Drouet. After Drouet introduced Hustwood to her, she believed that Hustwood would give her a better life. When she lived a life she wanted to live at first, she began to look forward to a better life. She become a famous actress. People’s desire is inherited, endless. This is also one of the reasons why Carrie have a success finally.Ⅳ.Critique for Sister CarrieNowadays, naturalism is always criticized by writers both at home and abroad. In China, many critics pointed out that there are many limitations on naturalism. For example,they believe that the naturalistic writers have many shortcomings in the creation of the work.”He was a photographer for the phenomenon, but it was purely an investigation of his eyes”. There are the imitator of the phenomena, not the creator of the phenomena. In another word, their works are all records of things happened in the world without any identifying and screening. Not to mention the creativity and depth of the phenomena. The naturalistic writers were influenced by Darwin’s evolutionary theory, so they show the positive attitude in their works obviously. Furthermore, they emphasis on the concept of human beast. In the following paper, taking Sister Carrie as an example, aiming at revealing the limitations of naturalism from these two aspects.4.1Critique of Pessimistic DeterminismFrom the pessimistic fatalism view of naturalism writers, human beings can only live in a contradiction of life environment and natural heredity. Their fates decided by environment and inheritance hopelessly. No matter how hard she is, she can not change and escape his own fate. Influenced by above pessimistic theory, figures on naturalism works almost are unlucky and style of writing is also pessimistic.For Sister Carrie, when she become brilliant actress, for a moment, she feels satisfy,because she believes that her happiness is not coming yet, she go ahead forced by the desire of wealth and reputation.The naturalists tend to depict the dark side of the society, and always take the low classes as their heroes or heroins. Compare to the realism and romanticism, they have a more pessimistic view toward the society. In Sister Carrie, it reveal that man can not control themselves, and is at the mercy of the nature, the heredity, the society and instinct. From thevery beginning of the novel, Carrie respond to live together with Drouet in order to live a better life and then leave Hustwood, she become a very famous actress in New York, she can be a actress in the Broadway Stage, she become a girl in the upper ten, she finally live a life that she ever want to live, she become a man that she ever want to be, but she still did not happy. On the opposite, she feels lonely and hopelessly. We have to say that Carrie has not find her real love in life. No matter Drouet or Hustwood, they are all the tools that help Carrie live a better life. In this level, Carrie’s love was a failure. In her career, she did not get satisfaction from her work, instead she feels emptiness in spirit. As described in the last sentence of the novel”In your rocking-chair, by your window dreaming, shall you long, alone. In your rocking chair, by your window, shall you dream such happiness as you may never feel.”Her name is Carrie. Dresier give the name of the character also has a figurative meaning.carried from the sea. Her fate has already been doomed by her name.Drsier’s pessimistic determinism give an tragedy end to Carrie. In fact, not only Carrie, Hustwood the most tragic one. he is sophisticated , easy going demeanor, tongda fickle, but he has obvious character with professional modification.the tragedy of him seems that began when he and Carrie siphoned with money to New York .But in fact, his failure is due to its failure of the adventure of unknown life. In the novel, Carrie’s rise and Hustwood’s decline is the most striking contrast. In this comparison, it can be said that the tragedy of Carrie had a deeper color, also shows the readers Hustwood’s fate more tragic.This is the center of the naturalism. In Dresier’s work, Carrie and her partners must be have an tragic end. What I have obtained from this novel is that everyone has the power to change his fate. By studying Carrie’s fate, people have to accept the fact that environmental and heredity factors are significant in one’s fate, that is, the favorable environmental and hereditary factors are indispensable in one’s success, although the disadvantageous environmental and heredity factors will impede one’s development. However, man has the characteristic of self -worth and self-reliance,he is full of energy and hope in his fate. Besides, man hasthe right to double his efforts to improve the life and pursue his career in face of the relentless reality. That means man can still wield his determination to solve those adverse factors and change his fate. There are many examples in our realistic life that man can still wield his free will to master his fate. For example, many great writers have become successful men through their efforts and the disabled have challenged the adverse environment factors and become worthful members of our society. All these illustrate that we can conquer the adverse environmental factors and become worthful members of our society. All these illustrate that we ca conquer that adverse environmental and heredity defections. Therefore, people should be active and optimistic in our life and double our efforts to live a better future.4.2 Critique of the Concept of Human BeastBased on influence of Darwinism naturalism works are dedicated in exploring beast and human and take human as a kind of mixture and applicated, taking human society as ramifucation of nature and the essence of man is to the survival of the fittest. The work is to become victim of strangers who adjust to the world and qualified to live. Though sister Carrie was born with sensibility, her every decision was made under the rational judgment, not only under the emotional demand. For example, when crowed in a narrow apartment with her sister’s family, facing poor condition, accepts ugly Drouet’s help and has a comfortable life; while when Hustwood traps her to elope, she does not go immediately, but say goodbye to her past with the thought that she wants to broaden her eyesight to New York. Although both of man offer her rich life and enjoying it much. She will go away and continue her life as soon as another road appears. When Carrie and Hustwood come to New York.Hustwood lost his reputation, his career and become a frustrated man. In this case, Carrie make a decision to leave Hustwood otherwise she will become a housewife. she continue her career and become a famous actress. The man who Carrie stay with are all tools to the way of success. Just like Drouet does not treat Carrie sincerely, Carrie also does not pay her true heart to Drouet. They are both entranced by others one aspect of features. On one hand, Carrie was entranced by Drouet。

《嘉莉妹妹》中的自然主义摘要：自然主义的一个突出特点是它强调环境对人类命运的影响。

根据自然主义，人是无助的棋子，任由环境摆布。

德莱塞宣称：“我们所有人或多或少都是棋子。

我们像棋子一样被我们无法控制的环境所左右”。

这个著名的声明通常被视为自然主义的哲学中心，描述了环境因素的确定性影响。

大多数自然主义小说都详细描述了环境对个人的毁灭性影响。

然而，在《嘉莉妹妹》中，环境非但没有压垮嘉莉，反而助长了她的崛起。

关键词：嘉莉妹妹；自然主义；现实主义德莱塞是不是仿效左拉的“博物学家”，争论不休。

但如果这个教派反映在接受生活的肮脏一面和更忠实地记录个人经验，那么它可以成为他作品的一个特征。

他是一个客观的现实主义者，他将他的事实远程汇总。

就德莱塞的《嘉莉妹妹》而言——这部小说在不同的叙述中被反复归类为文学现实主义和文学自然主义的作品——似乎恰恰相反。

《嘉莉妹妹》具有当时最杰出的两个文学“运动”的元素，其一致性似乎是建立在“不一致”部分的组合之上的。

德莱塞通过使用一种相当独特的表征方法来获得这种组合能力，将特定角色（主要是嘉莉）的特征与用于描述影响他们的外部环境的各种图像形式相关联。

通过在处理他的角色时将现实主义描述与自然主义意图相结合，德莱塞能够将文学体裁之间的广阔联系起来，而不仅仅是克服文学分歧。

嘉莉妹妹经常被称为“现实主义”文学的典范，因为它的描述技巧非常脚踏实地。

通过呈现芝加哥和纽约日常生活的“幕后”视角——通常是从嘉莉和赫斯渥两个截然不同的角度——德莱塞说明了在读者可能只知道切线的地方实际发生的事情。

这种“客观性”使德莱塞能够专注于“普通人类经验”的基本品质，同时代表更大的社会文化观念和价值观。

这样的语境为这部小说提供了两个最具特色的主题：个人在大城市中寻求财富，也许只能实现悲剧性的失败，法国和美国现实主义者经常这样描述；并且，经常与此相关联的是对德莱塞等作家的环境研究。

他将日常经验的“准确”描述整合到一系列明显“广阔”的美国环境中，西奥多·德莱塞的小说因此很容易根据现实主义描述技术被识别。