Passage 146 · 1900
"Sister Carrie"
Main effectThrough temporal-conditional universalizing, indefinite typical subject, binary enumeration, disjunctive either/or, passive falling into rescue versus rapid assumption of ironic "cosmopolitan virtue," and parallel copulative moral outcomes, Dreiser creates syntax of naturalist determinism—grammar that reduces female agency to binary fate determined by circumstance.
Device index
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Tropes
Mild expression for harsh reality.
Human qualities to abstractions.
Schemes
Balanced opposition.
Syntax
"When a girl leaves her home at eighteen"—subordinate clause with specific age. Syntax establishes universal condition.
"a girl"—indefinite article. Syntax makes observation about type, not individual.
"at eighteen"—specific age marking transition. Syntax pinpoints moment of vulnerability.
"she does one of two things"—limited enumeration. Syntax reduces possibilities to binary.
"Either...or"—correlative conjunctions. Syntax forces exclusive choice.
"falls into saving hands"—intransitive verb with prepositional destination. Syntax makes salvation something she falls into, not chooses.
"rapidly assumes"—manner adverb with active verb. Syntax shows quick corruption.
"cosmopolitan standard of virtue"—elevated diction for degradation. Syntax performs euphemistic evasion.
"becomes better...becomes worse"—two parallel copulative constructions. Syntax creates symmetrical moral opposites.
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Temporal Subordinate Clause
"When a girl leaves her home at eighteen"—subordinate clause with specific age. Syntax establishes universal condition.
Indefinite Subject
"a girl"—indefinite article. Syntax makes observation about type, not individual.
Numerical Finality
"at eighteen"—specific age marking transition. Syntax pinpoints moment of vulnerability.
Copulative Action
"she does one of two things"—limited enumeration. Syntax reduces possibilities to binary.
Disjunctive Structure
"Either...or"—correlative conjunctions. Syntax forces exclusive choice.
Passive Reception
"falls into saving hands"—intransitive verb with prepositional destination. Syntax makes salvation something she falls into, not chooses.
Adverbial Speed
"rapidly assumes"—manner adverb with active verb. Syntax shows quick corruption.
Ironic Phrase
"cosmopolitan standard of virtue"—elevated diction for degradation. Syntax performs euphemistic evasion.
Parallel Copulative Outcomes
"becomes better...becomes worse"—two parallel copulative constructions. Syntax creates symmetrical moral opposites.
Stylistic Effect
Through temporal-conditional universalizing, indefinite typical subject, binary enumeration, disjunctive either/or, passive falling into rescue versus rapid assumption of ironic "cosmopolitan virtue," and parallel copulative moral outcomes, Dreiser creates syntax of naturalist determinism—grammar that reduces female agency to binary fate determined by circumstance.