Carrie Analysis

Carrie Analysis

For many newlyweds, moving into ones first home as a married woman is an amazing feeling. Carrie, however, experiences many different feelings. While her husband is home before going to work, she tries to hide her feelings by using polite mannerisms and acting in the way she believes she should. Because her responses are extremely rushed and overly nice, it becomes obvious to the reader that she is simply trying to please her husband and to convince herself she is happy. When her husband leaves, her feelings quickly change to disgust and unhappiness. This is shown through Carrie’s feelings about her home, room, surroundings etc. She is bored, feels trapped, and even feels uncomfortable with a purse she once loved. The imagery and language used to describe Carrie’s feelings show that she is very unhappy with her decision to marry.
While Kennicott is home, Carrie acts in a very rash manner. First, he asks if it is okay that he goes to work. Carrie responds that of course she doesn’t mind. To the reader, this statement appears to be fake and very unconvincing. When he asks if she is sure, she says “Not a bit. Out of my way. Let me unpack.” These rash statements foreshadow Carrie’s unhappiness because it is clear to the reader that Carrie is just trying to say what she believes Kennicott wants to hear.
After Kennicott leaves, however, Carrie begins expressing her unhappiness and disgust with her new home. This is shown through her use of language, such as when the bedroom’s “dismalness crawled over her.” Also, the bedroom is expressed as awkward in shape and the furniture is very unappealing. She even refers to a pin-cushion as “like a gravestone.” These word choices are used to describe a room that is uncomfortable and boring, just like Carrie feels about her new life.
Carrie also talks about the furniture appearing as “elderly judges, condemning her to death.” She thinks the furniture is trapping her and suppressing her forever. This...