Pleasure Reading. Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser. (Chapters 11-15).

After acquaintance of Hurtswood, Carrie’s life with Drouet began to be a burden on her. She began to see selfishness in him. Drouet often went away as a travelling salesman leaving her alone with her sad thought about her home and wrong behavior. And the only man who began to pay attention to her was Hurtswood. Hurtswood in turn fell in love with Carrie and was full of decision to conquer her from Drouet. He didn’t see his friend as a serious rival. He also saw Drouet as a frivolous man who wasn’t ready to serious relationships.  As evidence, Hurtswood noted him in the company of another woman while Carrie was alone in home.

Hurtswood began to act. Firstly he invited Carrie and Drouet at the theatre trying to make a good impression upon Carrie. Then he began to visit to Drouet’s house regularly and when the later once again went on his business, Hurtswood began to call Carrie for a walk. And during one of such walks, he made a declaration of his love to her. As for Carrie, she was impressed by this assured and noble man. He seemed her different from Drouet who indeed cared about his own vanity. Carrie saw an attentive man in Hurtswood. Her love to him appeared to be mutual. And when Drouet came back, Carrie and Hurtswood became already secret beloveds.

But they became to be often seen together and gossip began to spread…

Finally Hurtswood could bear this conspiracy no longer and suggested Carrie leaving Drouet.