V: A Glittering Night Flower: The Use of a Name
Hurstwood, the manager of Fitzgerald and Moy's, is introduced as a well-dressed, successful man about town who enjoys Drouet's company.
Intimations by Winter: An Ambassador Summoned
Hurstwood is introduced as Drouet's friend at Fitzgerald and Moy's; he accepts Drouet's invitation to visit, showing a hint of interest.
IX: Convention’s Own Tinderbox: The Eye That Is Green
Hurstwood is portrayed as a reserved, dogmatic man who finds more satisfaction in his work than in his family. He tolerates his wife's vanity and children's ambitions but feels little emotional connection at home.
X: The Counsel of Winter: Fortune's Ambassador Calls
Visits Carrie and Drouet, displaying polished manners and tact; he charms Carrie with deference, arranges a euchre game, ensures she wins, and invites them to the theater, subtly positioning himself as a refined alternative to Drouet.
XI: The Persuasion of Fashion: Feeling Guards O’er Its Own
Fascinated by Carrie's youthful beauty; sends theater tickets; deliberately cultivates her admiration, contrasting himself with Drouet.
Of the Lamps of the Mansions: The Ambassador’s Plea
Deflects his wife's inquiries about the theatre visit; later visits Carrie alone, using his charm and magnetism to subtly plead his case.
XIII: His Credentials Accepted: A Babel of Tongues
Hurstwood is deeply infatuated with Carrie, viewing her as a fresh, innocent contrast to the cynical women he has known. He confesses his love and appeals to her sympathy, portraying himself as lonely and in need of affection.
XIV: With Eyes and Not Seeing: One Influence Wanes
Enjoys the affair without responsibility, carefully manages appearances with Drouet, and reassures Carrie of his intentions.
XV: The Irk of the Old Ties: The Magic of Youth
Hurstwood is increasingly absorbed in his affection for Carrie, leading to perfunctory interactions with his family and a growing desire to escape his marriage.
XVII: A Glimpse Through the Gateway: Hope Lightens the Eye
Hurstwood encourages Carrie's theatrical ambitions, secretly plans to attend the performance, and becomes more charmed by her.
XVIII: Just Over the Border: A Hail and Farewell
Hurstwood orchestrates the success of the event by rallying his influential friends and arranging newspaper notices. He is the center of social attention at the theatre.
An Hour in Elfland: A Clamour Half Heard
Hurstwood is deeply moved by Carrie's performance, feeling a personal appeal in her words and resolving to win her from Drouet.
XX: The Lure of the Spirit: The Flesh in Pursuit
Consumed by passion for Carrie, he is irritable and distracted, arguing with his wife and longing to resolve the complication with Drouet.
XXI: The Lure of the Spirit: The Flesh in Pursuit
Hurstwood passionately pursues Carrie, promising marriage and elopement while concealing the truth about his own marriage and the theft he will commit.
XXII: The Blaze of the Tinder: Flesh Wars with the Flesh
Returns home in a sunny mood after his agreement with Carrie, but faces his wife's accusations and hostility, leading to a defensive and angry confrontation.
XXIII: A Spirit in Travail: One Rung Put Behind
Though absent from the scene, Hurstwood looms large in Carrie's thoughts as she questions his sincerity and her own feelings, ultimately resolving to break off contact with him.
XXIV: Ashes of Tinder: A Face at the Window
Hurstwood is in a fevered state, pacing his office and room, worrying about his wife's threat to his future and his managerial position. He waits for Carrie at the park, receives his wife's demanding notes, and goes to his home only to find himself locked out.
XXV: Ashes of Tinder: The Loosing of Stays
Hurstwood is in a state of extreme mental perturbation, torn between his love for Carrie and the collapse of his marriage. He sends the money to his wife, broods over Carrie's silence, and receives legal threats from his wife's attorneys.
XXVI: The Ambassador Fallen: A Search for the Gate
Mentioned in Carrie's thoughts; she is shocked by his deceit but still recalls his appealing qualities.
XXVII: When Waters Engulf Us We Reach for a Star
Hurstwood is in turmoil after receiving a letter from Carrie and a decisive note from his business partners. He steals money from the safe and flees, then goes to Carrie's apartment with a fabricated story.
XXVIII: A Pilgrim, an Outlaw: The Spirit Detained
Hurstwood orchestrates the escape after stealing money, lying to Carrie to get her on the train. He is consumed by guilt and fear of capture, yet remains tender and persuasive toward Carrie.
XXIX: The Solace of Travel: The Boats of the Sea
Flees to Montreal and New York with Carrie, registers under a false name, negotiates with a detective, and sends back most of the stolen money while keeping $1,300.
XXX: The Kingdom of Greatness: The Pilgrim Adream
Hurstwood grapples with his reduced status in New York, fears meeting old acquaintances, and seeks a business opportunity to regain stability.
A Pet of Good Fortune: Broadway Flaunts Its Joys
Manages a saloon, maintains a facade of prosperity, begins staying out late, and fails to notice Carrie's growing discontent.
The Feast of Belshazzar: A Seer to Translate
Hurstwood notices Carrie's moodiness after the matinee and her expanding desires for finer things, but he does not openly object, though he feels uneasy about her growing wants.
Without the Walled City: The Slope of the Years
Grows increasingly gloomy and depressed; broods over his declining fortunes; loses his saloon partnership due to property sale; informs Carrie of the impending financial crisis.
XXXIV: The Grind of the Millstones: A Sample of Chaff
Hurstwood anxiously searches for new work, worries about his savings, and justifies his past theft to himself. He becomes irritable and gloomy, straining his relationship with Carrie.
The Passing of Effort: The Visage of Care
Sinks into apathy, avoids work, shaves less frequently, becomes miserly, and is humiliated by meeting Cargill.
A Grim Retrogression: The Phantom of Chance
Hurstwood sinks further into apathy and shame, snaps at Carrie, reveals the truth about their marriage, and then goes out to a hotel and poker game to escape his reality.
The Spirit Awakens: New Search for the Gate
Hurstwood, nearly out of money and unable to find work, discourages Carrie's acting ambitions while secretly hoping she might support him.
XXXVIII: In Elf Land Disporting: The Grim World Without
Hurstwood's job search yields nothing; he feels shame and desperation, eventually appealing to Carrie for financial help.
XXXIX: Of Lights and of Shadows: The Parting of Worlds
Becomes entirely dependent on Carrie's earnings, sinks into apathy and bitterness, and passively watches Carrie drift away from him.
XL: A Public Dissension: A Final Appeal
Hurstwood sinks deeper into poverty and idleness, runs up debts, and is confronted by the grocer. He reads about the Brooklyn trolley strike and decides to apply as a strikebreaker.
The Strike
Hurstwood works as a scab motorman during a violent strike, enduring cold, abuse, and squalid living conditions.
XLII: A Touch of Spring: The Empty Shell
Becomes increasingly apathetic, fails at his Brooklyn venture, and is abandoned by Carrie.
XLIII: The World Turns Flatterer: An Eye in the Dark
Hurstwood, now living in a third-rate Bleecker Street hotel, reads of Carrie's success and resolves not to bother her, though he feels a mix of pride and resignation.
XLV: Curious Shifts of the Poor
Hurstwood is now impoverished, living in a fifteen-cent lodging-house, and his health and appearance have deteriorated. He attempts to find work and considers begging.
XLVI: Stirring Troubled Waters
Mentioned by Drouet; Carrie says she hasn't seen him for some time, indicating their estrangement.
XLVII: The Way of the Beaten: A Harp in the Wind
Hurstwood is shown in the depths of poverty and mental decay, wandering the streets, begging, and attempting to see Carrie before being turned away. He ultimately dies and is buried in Potter's Field.
