This thesis examines the distorted values of capital and views on humanism of the characters in two naturalist novels, Theodore Dreiser's Sister Carrie and Frank Norris' Mcteague. This paper focuses on two points of view: criticism of materialism and humanistic vision of Naturalistic era's most influential works. These works have much in common in their depictions of a similar social construct which is based on materialism. They also strongly criticize social phenomena as obsession with money or isolation of humans from materials. They also suggest humanism as a solution for conflict between social classes.

Sister Carrie investigates the human desire of material and isolation derived from it, focusing on the main characters. George Hurstwood represents how a desire for materials can corrupt the human mind. In Chicago, he enjoys his social rank and the wealth he earned, but his social status and fortune slowly deteriorate over time in New York. His circumstance and attitude about work accelerate his downfall, and eventually he dies of poverty. Unlike Hurstwood, Carrie Meeber constantly improves her position as an actress. She takes advantage of her physical appearance and develops a successful career. Dreiser shows the horrendous outcomes resulting from indiscriminate pursuit of desire.

But he also indicates there is still humanistic values left in this ruthless capital society. Ames and Miss Vance help Carrie to move from maintaining her life to contemplating meaning of life. Captain and Fleischmann also suggest the main value of humanism, no matter how harsh life can be.

Mcteague concentrates on the loss of humanity derived from the violence of capitalism. Each of the characters' relationships is based on greed for money. Mcteague, Trina Sieppe, and Marcus Schouler clash for a lottery prize, which lead to their destructive ends. By their degeneration, Norris asserts the pressure capitalism exerts on society. It is apparent that people are eager for more material wealth and yearn to have more of it. Moreover, as they give in to their desires, their behaviors as civilized people degrade gradually and become crude and crass.

Norris puts the protagonist and the supporting characters in a harsh environment in a naturalistic manner and suggests the powerlessness of individuals over their own destiny. But he depicts Old Grannis and Ms. Baker to show humanistic value still exists in the cold and brutal world. They represent pre-industrial values like purity, diligence, and humility. Only those two characters can avoid destructive consequences, despite Grannis' also earning a significant amount of money as Trina did. Thus Grannis' attitude about money makes him different from other characters, and this attitude is idealized by Norris by suggesting that human beings remain hindered by materialism.

Dreiser and Norris show their protagonists who represent not only the criticism of materialism but also a motive to restore human values. Despite the fact that humanism at their time seemed a dim and disappearing thought, they suggest it is an important value in our society.