sister carrie

Chapter 55 (1)

Chapter 32 The Banquet of Porteshazard: A Prophet to Be Deciphered (1)
The sensations this walk produced in Carrie made it easy for her to sympathize with the melancholy of the whole play.The actor they went to watch this time was known for his light-hearted comedy, and added a little bit of sadness to the play to contrast with the humor.We had known for a long time that the stage held a great attraction for Carrie.A dramatic achievement in Chicago that she will never forget.How many a long afternoon had she been sitting in her rocking chair, reading the latest novel, enjoying the only pleasure in her life, when that dramatic achievement would haunt her, be alive in her consciousness field.Not once did she watch a play without being deeply aware of her own talent.Some of these scenes make her long to be one of the characters—to express the kind of emotion she would feel if she were in the role.With few exceptions, every time she went to see a play, she always brought back a vivid imagination, and the next day, she was alone in contemplating it.She lives in these episodes as in the real world in her daily life.

She doesn't always see the kind of drama that deeply touches her heart with actual life.But today, the splendor of the dress, the gaiety, and the beauties she saw made her whisper a song of longing in the depths of her soul.Oh, what kind of people were those hundreds of women who passed her by? Where did all these rich clothes come from, all these colorful buttons and trinkets of gold and silver? These lovely people Where do they live? How magnificent are the exquisitely carved furniture, richly decorated walls, and exquisite carpets around them? Their beautiful apartments have everything that money can buy. And where is the apartment? In what stable are these sleek, strong horses feeding on the feed, and the luxurious carriages parked? And where are the well-dressed coachmen loitering? Oh, the mansion , the colours, the fragrances, the boudoirs full of splendor, the banquets of delicacies! New York must be full of such things, otherwise where would these beautiful haughty swaggers come from? They are treasured in In a building with thermal insulation facilities.It made her heart ache to think that she was not one of them—oh, she had dreamed it herself, but she hadn't realized it yet.She really didn't understand how she spent two years of lonely life - how could she be so indifferent to her failure to realize her own hopes.

The play I saw this time was based on the very idle gossip of the leisured classes, and described how beautifully dressed ladies and gentlemen were tormented by love and jealousy in splendid places.This kind of light-hearted comedy is most attractive to those who long for such material conditions but cannot obtain them.These plays have the charm of being tortured under ideal conditions.Who would not wish to grieve in a golden chair? Who would not wish to suffer amidst perfumed tapestries, cushioned furniture, and well-dressed servants? In such How charming it is to feel distressed under such circumstances.It was this that Carrie longed for.In that kind of world, she is willing to suffer any hardship; or if she can't do it in fact, she can at least learn to do it on the stage under such lovely conditions.Her mind is so affected by what she sees that drama seems to be a particularly lovely thing now.She soon becomes lost in the world reflected in the play, and hopes never to return.During the intermission, she carefully observed the beauties and gentlemen in the front row who came to the matinee, and a new idea about her future in New York was brewing in her mind.She was sure she hadn't seen enough of New York--the city must be a windmill of pleasure.

Once out of the theater, Broadway taught her another sharp lesson this time.As she walked towards the city center, the scene she witnessed was richer than before, and it could be said to have reached a climax.The elite and the fools came together like a tide, which she had never seen before.This also gave her a firmer belief in her situation.Unless something like this happens in her life, then she has not lived, and it is impossible to say that she has lived.A woman spends money like water; she has seen it in every fine shop she has passed, flowers, sweets, jewels, and that is chiefly the interest of pretty ladies.And she—the pocket money given by her husband is not enough for her to go out on the street several times a month.

By this evening, the small and exquisite apartment seemed to be just an ordinary thing now.Some other people in the world enjoy not this.When she saw the maid cooking, her attitude was very indifferent.What unfolded in her heart was a scene after scene.She recalls one beautiful actress in particular—the courted and won lover.The manners of this woman won Carrie's heart.Her costumes are as artistic as possible, and her crucifixion is very real.Carrie could feel the pain she described.The play was realistic, and she felt sure she could do it too.In some places, she can play better.So she recited the lines to herself.Oh, what an expansive life her life would be if she could play such a role! She can be thrilling too.

When Hurstwood returned, Carrie was in a gloomy mood.She sat there, rocking back and forth, thinking again.She was unwilling to let her seductive fantasy be shattered.Therefore, she said little, or said nothing.

"What's the matter, Carrie?" said Hurstwood after a pause.He was aware of her quiet, almost melancholy expression.

"Nothing," said Carrie. "I don't feel well to-night."

"Not sick?" he asked, coming closer.

"Oh, no," she said, almost arguing, "I'm just not feeling well."

"That's too bad," he said, walking away.He just bent down a little bit, and now he straightened his vest, "I was thinking that we might as well go to a play tonight."

"I don't want to go," said Carrie.Her beautiful phantoms were washed away, driven from the depths of her mind, much to her chagrin. "I just saw the matinee this afternoon."

"Oh, yes," said Hurstwood, "what play?"

"A Gold Mine."

"How did it go?"

"That's great," said Carrie.

"Don't you want to go see it again tonight?"

"I can't see it," she said.

Nevertheless, now that she had been awakened from her melancholy, and then at the table for supper, she changed her mind.A little stuff in the stomach may play a big role.She went again, and felt a little calmer after she went.But ah, the blow of the great awakening has been struck.For now, she might recover from dissatisfaction, but it would come back.So again, again and again - ah, this is really subtle! Water drops through stone - in the end, it will still come naturally!
Not long after this matinee-perhaps a month-Mrs. Vance invited Carrie to the evening with them.She had heard Carrie say that Hurstwood was not coming home for supper.

"Why don't you come with us? You don't have to make dinner yourself. We're going to dinner at the Shirley's downtown, and then we're going to the Lansing Theater. Come with us."

"All right," replied Carrie.

She began to dress at three o'clock in the afternoon in order to leave at 05:30 for the famous restaurant, which was competing with the thriving Telmonico for social prestige.When dressing up, Carrie shows that she always thinks of Mrs. Vance, all dressed up.Mrs. Vance was always in her thoughts, and called her attention to all the novelty of women's dress.

"Are you going to buy a so-and-so hat?" or "Have you seen those new gloves with oval bead buttons?" These are just one or two examples of many.

"Next time you can buy a pair of shoes, dear," said Mrs. Vance. "A buckle shoe, with a thick heel and a patent leather toe. They're very fashionable this autumn."

"All right," said Carrie.

"Oh dear, did you see the smocks at Altmont's? Some are cute. I saw a style there that I knew you'd love. That's what I said as soon as I saw it."

Carrie was interested when she heard this, for it was for friendship's sake, deeper than the usual bond between pretty women.Mrs. Vance was so fond of Carrie's steady good-nature that she really liked being introduced to the latest styles.

"Louter & Taylor's is selling a nice serge twill shirt, why don't you get one of those?" she said one day. It couldn't be more appropriate."

Carrie listened eagerly.Such things were never mentioned between her and Hurstwood.However, she is now starting to mention one or two items.Hurstwood agreed, without disagreeing.He noticed this new tendency in Carrie.Later, after hearing a lot about Mrs. Vance and her ways of seeking happiness, he guessed the reason for this change.He didn't want to object so quickly, but he felt that Carrie's desire was growing in scope.It wasn't to his liking, but he cared for her in his own way, so that was all.However, in the specific details of the handling, there was always something that made Carrie feel that her request was not what he wanted.He showed no enthusiasm for buying these things.This made her feel that emotional indifference was creeping up, and thus another small crack appeared.

Nevertheless, one of the consequences of Mrs. Vance's suggestion was that, on this occasion, Carrie thought she was more to her liking.She is wearing her best clothes.But it was comforting to think that, if she had to wear a nice dress to go out, it was only neat and fitting.She looks like a well-groomed 21-year-old.Mrs. Vance praised her so much that the girl's full cheeks flushed and her large eyes sparkled.At the request of his wife, Mr. Vance hired a carriage, as it seemed to be raining.

"Isn't your husband coming?" asked Mr. Vance, when he saw Carrie in the little drawing-room of his house.

"No, he said he wasn't coming back for dinner."

"Better leave him a note telling him where we are. He might come."

"All right," said Carrie.She hadn't thought of this beforehand.

"Tell him we've been at the Shirley until 08:30. I think he'll know."

Carrie's skirts creaked as she walked across the drawing room.She wrote a note with the gloves on.When she came back, there was a new visitor in the Vance apartment.

"Mrs. Wheeler, allow me to introduce you to Mr. Arms, a cousin of mine," said Mrs. Vance. "He's coming with us, is that so, Bob?"

"Nice to meet you," said Ames, bowing very politely to Carrie.

Carrie glanced at a tall man.She also noticed that he was clean-shaven. He was good-looking and young, but that was about it.

"Mr. Ames has just come to New York, and is going to spend a few days," interposed Vance, "and we're going to show him around."

"Oh, is that so?" said Carrie, casting another glance at the newcomer.

"Yes, I've just come from Indianapolis for a week," said young Arms.He sat on the edge of the chair and waited for Mrs. Vance to get ready.

"I reckon you think there's a lot to see in New York, don't you?" said Carrie.She wanted to say something, so as not to be too dull.

"I'm afraid I can't play it in a week." Ames said happily.

He was a good-natured man, a young man with no pretense.In Carrie's eyes he was a man who was overcoming the last remnants of youthful shyness.He doesn't seem good at talking.His strengths, however, were his fashion and his courage.It might not be difficult, Carrie thought, to strike up a conversation with him.

"Well, I think we're all set. The carriage is outside the door."

"Come on, boys," said Mrs. Vance, smiling as she entered, "Bob, you take care of Mrs. Wheeler."

"Well, I'll do my best," said Bob, smiling, as he moved closer to Carrie. "You don't need much care, do you?" he volunteered, with an air of ingratiating plea.

"I hope it's not necessary," said Carrie.

They went downstairs, and Mrs. Vance bade her guests into the carriage, and climbed into the hansom.

"Very well," said Vance, closing the door, and the carriage drove away.

"What are we going to see?" asked Ames.

"To see Thorson," said Vance, "at Lord Chinley's."

"Oh, well done!" said Mrs. Vance. "He's the funniest man ever."

"I read he was praised in the papers," Ames said.

"I have no doubt," put in Vance, "that we'll all be happy."

Ames took a seat next to Carrie, and felt it his duty to pay her some attention.He found the lady so young and so handsome, though he protected a respectful demeanor.He had nothing of the chasing dandy, he had a respect for married status, and he thought only of some pretty unmarried girls in Indianapolis.

"Were you born in New York?" Ames asked Carrie.

"Oh, no; I've only been here two years."

"Oh, well, you've had enough time to see what New York has to offer after all."

"I don't think I have," answered Carrie. "New York is as new to me as it was when I first came."

"You're not from the West, are you?"

"Yes, from Wisconsin," she replied.

"Well, most of the New Yorkers, it seems, haven't been here very long. I hear there's a lot of Indians here with me."

"I work for an electric company," said the young man.

Carrie talked to him intermittently in this way, occasionally interrupted by Vance.On several occasions the conversation was general, sometimes humorous.We talked all the way, and we arrived at the restaurant.

(End of this chapter)