“Sinclair Lewis, 1885-1951 Author of Main Street” The above is the inscription on an unpretentious marker in the cemetery of Sauk Centre, Minnesota. It is the middle stone of three, for the famous son is buried between his father, Dr. E. J. Lewis, and his mother, Emma Kermott Lewis, who […]
Read more Sinclair Lewis BiographyCharacter Analysis
Main Street focuses on environment rather than on the individual, on what the characters see and experience rather than what they are. Hence some of the figures in the story may seem rather flat and superficial. Character portrayal and development do not have top priority, which is reserved for the […]
Read more Character AnalysisSummary and Analysis Chapter 39
Summary Returning to Gopher Prairie of her own volition, Carol finds that some of her old acquaintances have missed her, something that would not occur in Washington. The town has not changed, however, except for the new school building, seven new bungalows, and two garages. The men, including Dr. Westlake […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 39Summary and Analysis Chapters 35-38
Summary America is engaged in World War I, and Carol is doing Red Cross work and volunteer nursing. Raymie Wutherspoon, recovered from his wounds, returns as a major to a jubilant Vida and is made manager of the Bon Ton. He, however, is less impressive in civilian clothes than in […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 35-38Summary and Analysis Chapters 33-34
Summary Carol becomes conscious that her infatuation for Erik is deepening into love. He calls on her one evening in Will’s absence, and they take a walk in the country. The doctor overtakes them in his car and orders them to ride home, Erik in the front seat and Carol, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 33-34Summary and Analysis Chapters 28-32
Summary Erik Valborg, nicknamed “Elizabeth” by the village boys, is working in Nat Hicks’ tailor shop. Like Carol, he loves beautiful things and finds no intellectual companionship in Gopher Prairie. Carol first sees him in church and is struck by his unusual appearance. Later, however, at Sunday dinner with the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 28-32Summary and Analysis Chapters 24-27
Summary All that summer Carol analyzes her husband, deciding that he is only a grown-up Hugh. One hot evening after a poker party at which she had been permitted only to serve food and drink to the men, she rebels, telling Kennicott that his friends have “the manners of a […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 24-27Summary and Analysis Chapters 21-23
Summary This is Vida Sherwin’s chapter. In a flashback, the reader glimpses Vida’s early life in a “hill-smothered Wisconsin village,” her high-school teaching career, and her relation to Kennicott before his marriage. Although she had not encouraged Kennicott’s few attempts at lovemaking five years before, she feels now that he […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 21-23Summary and Analysis Chapters 19-20
Summary After three years of exile from herself, Carol finally admits her longing to find her own people. Bea and Miles Bjornstam are married in June. The more powerful people of Gopher Prairie do not attend the wedding or call on the newlyweds afterward. Carol is unexpectedly appointed to the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 19-20Summary and Analysis Chapters 17-18
Summary The idea of the Gopher Prairie Dramatic Association is born during a midwinter frolic at Jack Elder’s shack. Carol again is jubilant and believes that she can yet “escape the coma of the Village Virus.” Only twelve members form the nucleus of the association, and from the first there […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 17-18