Term VI. Pleasure Reading №1

Chapters 1-8

Caroline Meeber, a young woman who had always lived in her parents’ house in Columbia City, decided to move to Chicago to start her own life. During the train-travel a handsome man paid attention to her. Carrie noticed that he was well-dressed, intelligent and polite; however, her education did not allow her to speak to him. The man, called Mr. Drouet, did not want to lose a chance and by the end of the travel he had her address and promised to visit the place on Monday night.

In Chicago Carrie was met by her sister Minnie and together they went to Minnie’s home. Her sister was married to Sven Hanson, a money-oriented man whose every day was similar to the previous one: he woke up in early morning, went to work, worked, went to home, played with the child and went to bed. The Hansons was poor and used sparingly every cent and, of course, Carrie could live with them only by giving money. Her first day in the job searching ended with an offer to come on Monday. She came and it was hard work accompanied with ill-mannered men and women dressed in old-fashioned and dirty clothes. Caroline did nor used to work and communicate with such people and was happy to go home. However, her happiness was not long because she imagined her sister’s home and their life as drabness. She wanted Mr. Drouet to come but she had written him a letter that it was not a good time.

Carrie had paid for living and her residence had not been a problem till she got ill and lost the job. It was late autumn and if the woman had not found a new job she would have left Chicago. Caroline did not find any but met Mr. Drouet who promised to help her. The man rented a room for Carrie and she moved there. The new friend gave her money for new clothes and did not allow her to back in Columbia City.