From Nobody To Somebody

Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser is the early representative masterpiece of American naturalism in literature. Upon its initial publication, the writer received harsh criticism from readers and critics for its relentless and honest portrayal of the nature of the American life. In this thesis, Abraham Maslow' s need hierarchy is applied to analysise the protagonist's behavioral changes to illustrate people' s tendency to adjust themselves to the newly-sprung industrialisation and consumerism in the capital development of America, and some individuals' distinct perspective and attitudes to changes in the society. The main body is divided into four chapters, with each one dealing with a different need in life that caused Carrie' s different behavioral changes from being a naive country girl to a famous Hollywood film star. These range from the basic physiological need to the sense of belongingness, self-esteem, to self-actualization. By such analyses the thesis aims to appreciate the protagonist' s behavioral changes and attitudes to life from a new point of view.