Sister Carrie · Character

Sven Hanson

Minnie's stern and frugal husband who disapproves of Carrie.

minor

Also known as Hanson, Mr. Hanson

First appearance: i the magnet attracting a waif amid forces

Sven Hanson shows up with force in II: What Poverty Threatened: Of Granite and Brass. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Minnie's husband, a silent, American-born man of Swedish descent who works at the stockyards and is indifferent to Carrie's presence, focused on saving for a house.

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In II: What Poverty Threatened: Of Granite and Brass: Minnie's husband, a silent, American-born man of Swedish descent who works at the stockyards and is indifferent to Carrie's presence, focused on saving for a house.

Later, in IV: The Spendings of Fancy: Facts Answer with Sneers: Hanson's taciturn and frugal demeanor dominates the flat; he shows mild interest in Carrie's job but disapproves of any expenditure for pleasure, reinforcing the household's oppressive atmosphere.

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See Sven Hanson in i the magnet attracting a waif amid forces

Character Web

5 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Chicago and New York society
Protagonist
Carrie's early influences

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

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

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In the story

Sven Hanson appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

II: What Poverty Threatened: Of Granite and Brass
Minnie's husband, a silent, American-born man of Swedish descent who works at the stockyards and is indifferent to Carrie's presence, focused on saving for a house.
IV: The Spendings of Fancy: Facts Answer with Sneers
Hanson's taciturn and frugal demeanor dominates the flat; he shows mild interest in Carrie's job but disapproves of any expenditure for pleasure, reinforcing the household's oppressive atmosphere.
VI: The Machine and the Maiden: A Knight of Today
Hanson is cold and practical, viewing Carrie's job as a necessity and disapproving of her desire for independence or leisure.
VII: The Lure of the Material: Beauty Speaks for Itself
Indirectly influences the situation through Minnie's relay of his opinion that Carrie should leave Chicago for the winter.
Intimations by Winter: An Ambassador Summoned
Hanson is briefly mentioned waking Minnie from her nightmare, showing his practical, unsympathetic demeanor.

Chapter companion notes

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See Sven Hanson in i the magnet attracting a waif amid forces

See Sven Hanson in II: What Poverty Threatened: Of Granite and Brass