Published in 1900, Dreiser's debut book caused a huge scandal – it was called immoral, cynical, and a denigration of the 'American dream.' Critics wrote that 'praising this novel is almost as dangerous as shooting the President.' However, 'Sister Carrie' later became one of the symbols of American realism. The main character, a young, naive provincial girl named Caroline Meeber, who came to Chicago in search of happiness, is not a helpless victim or a cynical little predator, but a complex, multifaceted individual. In her character, selfishness coexists with nobility and sincerity, femininity with rationality, and a thirst for success with a willingness to achieve it through patience and hard work.