How does Theodore Dreiser use imagery in Sister Carrie?

Imagery:

"When Caroline Meeber boarded the afternoon train for Chicago her total outfit consisted of a small trunk, which was checked in the baggage car, a cheap imitation alligator skin satchel holding some minor details of the toilet, a small lunch in a paper box and a yellow leather snap purse, containing her ticket, a scrap of paper with her sister's address in Van Buren Street, and four dollars in money. It was August, 1889. She was eighteen years of age, bright, timid and full of the illusions of ignorance and youth."

"Among the forces which sweep and play throughout the universe, untutored man is but a wisp in the wind."