Sister Carrie" by Theodore Dreiser, and "My Antonia" by Willa Cather. Specifically, it will determine what each character's value system is by asking what things are most important to her and what things or values she spends most of the time seeking. Each of these characters has strong and determined values that guide them through their lives. These values are at the core of their being, and help the characters become real and compelling in the readers' mind. One character's values bring her contentment, while the other's do not, and this is the key difference between these two women and their values. One has values to be applauded, while the other has values that leave her wanting.

Antonia in "My Antonia" is a child of the land. She values life in the country and family, and these values stick with her throughout her life. She notes, "I'm a country girl...and...
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