Sister Carrie · Character

Lola

A small, warm-hearted chorus girl who becomes Carrie's first real friend in the theater, trading encouragement and rent money for companionship.

supporting

Also known as Lo, little Lola

First appearance: xxxviii in elf land disporting the grim world without

As a supporting figure in Sister Carrie, Lola is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A friendly chorus girl who befriends Carrie, introduces her to young men, and encourages her to neglect dinner hours for social outings.

In the storyXXXIX: Of Lights and of Shadows: The Parting of WorldsOpen this moment free

See Lola in XXXIX: Of Lights and of Shadows: The Parting of Worlds Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Lola is the little actress who shares a room with Carrie when the chorus pay starts coming in, quick to celebrate a notice and quicker to warn her to save for the summer. She is generous with praise and practical about money, and her easy pleasure in clothes, suppers, and carriage rides pulls Carrie into the metropolitan whirl. She matters because she makes Carrie's stage success feel real and social rather than solitary — the first person who treats her as a working actress rather than a kept woman.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Lola sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Lola in xxxviii in elf land disporting the grim world without

Character Web

33 connections

A slice of how Lola sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Carrie's early influences
Chicago and New York society
Hurstwood's family and decline

+28 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Carrie’s internal debate reaches its emotional and psychological peak as she wavers between the security of he…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

George Hurstwood
social · negative
Hurstwood knows Lola as a friend of Carrie's, but their interactions are minimal and… How this plays out →
Charles Drouet
social · positive
George Hurstwood
social · negative
Hurstwood knows Lola as a friend of Carrie's, but their interactions are minimal and… How this plays out →
Charles Drouet
social · positive
George Hurstwood
social · negative
Hurstwood knows Lola as a friend of Carrie's, but their interactions are minimal and… How this plays out →

George Hurstwood
Hurstwood knows Lola as a friend of Carrie's, but their interactions are minimal and strained after his decline.
Charles Drouet
Drouet knows Lola through Carrie and the theater scene, but their connection is superficial and brief.
George Hurstwood
Hurstwood knows Lola as a friend of Carrie's, but their interactions are minimal and strained after his decline.
Charles Drouet
Drouet knows Lola through Carrie and the theater scene, but their connection is superficial and brief.
George Hurstwood
Hurstwood knows Lola as a friend of Carrie's, but their interactions are minimal and strained after his decline.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Lola in xxxviii in elf land disporting the grim world without

In the story

Lola appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XXXIX: Of Lights and of Shadows: The Parting of Worlds
A friendly chorus girl who befriends Carrie, introduces her to young men, and encourages her to neglect dinner hours for social outings.
XLII: A Touch of Spring: The Empty Shell
Urges Carrie to ask for a higher salary and invites her to share a room.
XLIII: The World Turns Flatterer: An Eye in the Dark
Lola, Carrie's friend and fellow chorus girl, offers encouragement and shares her own experience of having her picture in the paper.
XLIV: And This Is Not Elf Land: What Gold Will Not Buy
Lola shares Carrie's hotel room and tries to encourage her to socialize, but Carrie remains disinterested in the suitors who write to her.
XLVI: Stirring Troubled Waters
Carrie's friend and fellow actress, to whom Carrie confides her thoughts about leaving comedy for a more serious role.
XLVII: The Way of the Beaten: A Harp in the Wind
Lola is present with Carrie in her Waldorf chambers, commenting on the snowy weather.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Lola unlock in the free preview.

See Lola in xxxviii in elf land disporting the grim world without

See Lola in XXXIX: Of Lights and of Shadows: The Parting of Worlds