Page "Sister Carrie" Paragraph 34

There was also a large amount of criticism for the title of the novel, which, several critics complained, makes the book sound as if the main character is a nun.

The title of the book is considered by the Newark Sunday News to be the “ weakest thing about the book ” because it “ does not bear the faintest relation to the story ” Similarly, Frederic Taber Cooper in the Bookman declared it to be a “ colourless and misleading title ” ( 26 ).

Other common complaints were over the length of the book and the fact that it is so depressing that it makes it unpleasant to read.

Overall, Sister Carrie was not well received when it was first released due to its scandalous content and its bleak outlook on life and human efforts to change their condition.