Minnie
Carrie's sister sympathizes with Carrie in her struggle to adjust to the city. She is no longer naïve to the “American Dream,” as she has personally seen how hard it actually is to achieve, but she enjoys Carrie's idealistic dreams. Minnie is torn between supporting her sister and supporting her family as her husband, Hanson, so pushes her to do. Although Minnie does not work for pay, she raises her infant son and manages the household. Hanson pressures her to teach Carrie to value money and save, but Carrie thinks that life is about acquiring materials and entertainment. Minnie compromises and allows Carrie to save some money for herself and buy a winter hat, but then shows disappointment in her choice of such an expensive brand.