Main Street

By Sinclair Lewis

Sinclair Lewis’s “Main Street” is a satirical novel that follows the struggles of a young woman named Carol Milford as she attempts to adapt to life in the small, conservative town of Gopher Prairie, Minnesota. Through the use of humor, irony, and vivid imagery, Lewis critiques the narrow-mindedness and conformity of small-town life, while also exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world.

Themes 📚

1. Conformity and Individuality

The novel explores the tension between conforming to societal expectations and expressing one’s individuality. Carol Milford struggles to fit in with the narrow-minded residents of Gopher Prairie, and often feels like she is sacrificing her own identity in order to do so.

2. Small-Town Life and Society

Lewis critiques the conservatism and insularity of small-town life, and highlights the ways in which it can stifle creativity and individuality. He also explores the dynamics of social class and the ways in which societal hierarchies can be perpetuated.

3. Gender Roles and Expectations

The novel examines the roles and expectations placed on women in society, particularly in the context of marriage and motherhood. Carol Milford struggles to reconcile her own desires for a fulfilling career with the expectations placed on her as a wife and mother.

4. Progress and Modernity

Lewis highlights the tension between tradition and progress, as the residents of Gopher Prairie struggle to adapt to new technologies and changing social norms. He also explores the impact of industrialization and urbanization on rural communities.

5. The American Dream

The novel critiques the ideal of the American Dream, highlighting the ways in which it can be unattainable or even damaging. The characters in the novel grapple with questions of success, happiness, and fulfillment, and struggle to reconcile their own desires with the expectations placed on them by society.

Use of Literary Devices ✍🏽

1. Satire

The novel is a satire of small-town life and society, using humor and irony to critique the narrow-mindedness and conformity of the residents of Gopher Prairie.

2. Imagery

Lewis uses vivid and descriptive imagery to paint a picture of the town and its residents, highlighting the stark contrast between the bleakness of the physical landscape and the inner lives of the characters.

3. Allusion

The novel makes reference to a variety of cultural and literary works, from Shakespeare to the Bible, to provide context and depth to the story.

4. Juxtaposition

Lewis uses juxtaposition to highlight the contrast between Carol’s idealism and the pragmatic attitudes of the town’s residents, emphasizing the tension between tradition and progress.

5. Irony

The novel uses irony to critique the values and attitudes of the town’s residents, highlighting the gap between appearance and reality.

6. Foreshadowing

Lewis uses foreshadowing to hint at the novel’s tragic ending, planting clues and hints throughout the story that build towards the climactic events.

7. Point of View

The novel is narrated from Carol’s perspective, providing insight into her thoughts and feelings and allowing the reader to sympathize with her struggles.

8. Symbolism

Lewis uses symbolism to represent larger themes and ideas, such as the barrenness of the physical landscape representing the inner emptiness of the characters.

9. Characterization

The novel contains complex and multi-dimensional characters, each with their own motivations, flaws, and quirks. Lewis uses characterization to create realistic and relatable characters that feel like real people.

10. Imaginative Description

Lewis uses imaginative descriptions to create a vivid and memorable portrait of small-town life and the characters that inhabit it, from the description of the town’s main street to the depiction of the town’s social hierarchy.

Examples of Literary Devices 📋

Satire

Example	Explanation
Lewis uses satire to critique the small-mindedness and conformity of the residents of Gopher Prairie. For example, he satirizes the town’s obsession with the mundane details of everyday life, such as the color of a new barn or the price of a new fence.	The satire highlights the ways in which small-town life can stifle creativity and individuality, and critiques the narrow-minded attitudes of the town’s residents.
Lewis uses satire to critique the rigid social hierarchy of Gopher Prairie. For example, he satirizes the town’s snobbish attitudes towards outsiders, and the way in which social status is determined by wealth and lineage.	The satire highlights the ways in which social hierarchies can be perpetuated, and critiques the way in which success and status are often equated with material wealth.
Lewis uses satire to critique the town’s resistance to progress and modernity. For example, he satirizes the way in which the town’s residents resist new technologies and social norms, such as the arrival of the automobile or the idea of women working outside the home.	The satire highlights the tension between tradition and progress, and critiques the way in which societal norms can be used to stifle innovation and creativity.

Imagery

Example	Explanation
Lewis uses imagery to create a vivid and memorable portrait of small-town life. For example, he uses descriptions of the physical landscape to highlight the barrenness and bleakness of the town, emphasizing the inner emptiness of the characters.	The imagery creates a powerful sense of atmosphere, and underscores the novel’s themes of isolation and disconnection.
Lewis uses imagery to create a vivid picture of the town’s residents, highlighting their physical appearance and mannerisms. For example, he describes the “depressed-looking” women who inhabit the town, emphasizing their lack of vitality and energy.	The imagery underscores the novel’s critique of small-town life, and highlights the physical and emotional toll that conformity and isolation can take on individuals.
Lewis uses imagery to create a vivid picture of the town’s main street, with its “square brick blocks and squat brick blocks and saw-toothed brick blocks”.	The imagery highlights the monotony and homogeneity of small-town life, and underscores the novel’s critique of the conformity and narrow-mindedness that can result from living in such an environment.

Allusion

Example	Explanation
The novel contains numerous allusions to cultural and literary works, such as Shakespeare, Thoreau, and Tennyson. For example, Carol reads “Walden” by Thoreau, which inspires her to pursue a more meaningful and fulfilling life.	The allusions provide context and depth to the story, highlighting the literary influences that shape the novel and the wider cultural and intellectual milieu in which the characters operate.
The novel contains allusions to historical events, such as the Civil War and the rise of industrialization. For example, Lewis highlights the tension between the traditional values of small-town life and the rapid changes brought about by industrialization and modernization.	The allusions help to ground the story in a wider cultural and historical context, and provide additional layers of meaning and complexity to the novel.

Juxtaposition

Example	Explanation
Lewis uses juxtaposition to highlight the contrast between Carol’s idealism and the pragmatic attitudes of the town’s residents. For example, Carol dreams of transforming the town into a vibrant and culturally rich community, while the residents are more concerned with preserving the status quo.	The juxtaposition highlights the tension between tradition and progress, and emphasizes the difficulty of effecting change in a conservative and insular community.
Lewis uses juxtaposition to contrast the physical landscape of Gopher Prairie with the inner lives of the characters. For example, he describes the bleakness of the town’s physical environment, while highlighting the emotional complexity of the characters who inhabit it.	The juxtaposition underscores the novel’s themes of isolation and disconnection, and highlights the ways in which small-town life can be both suffocating and enriching.
Lewis uses juxtaposition to contrast the insular world of Gopher Prairie with the wider world beyond. For example, he contrasts Carol’s experiences in the town with her travels to more cosmopolitan cities, highlighting the contrast between the narrow-minded attitudes of the town’s residents and the more open-minded attitudes of people in other parts of the country.	The juxtaposition highlights the tension between the local and the global, and emphasizes the need for individuals to engage with the wider world in order to broaden their perspectives and enrich their lives.

Irony

Example	Explanation
Lewis uses irony to critique the values and attitudes of the town’s residents. For example, he uses irony to highlight the gap between appearance and reality, such as when the town’s most successful businessman turns out to be a fraud.	The irony underscores the novel’s critique of small-town life, and highlights the ways in which societal values and norms can be used to maintain the status quo, even in the face of obvious contradictions.
Lewis uses irony to critique the role of women in society. For example, he uses irony to highlight the absurdity of the expectations placed on women, such as when Carol is expected to be both a wife and a mother while also pursuing a fulfilling career.	The irony highlights the ways in which societal norms and expectations can be oppressive and limiting, and critiques the ways in which gender roles can be used to restrict women’s opportunities and potential.
Lewis uses irony to critique the impact of progress and modernization on society. For example, he uses irony to highlight the ways in which new technologies and social norms can be both liberating and oppressive, and to critique the narrow-minded attitudes of those who resist change.	The irony highlights the tension between tradition and progress, and emphasizes the need for individuals and communities to navigate this tension in order to achieve a more fulfilling and equitable society.

Foreshadowing

Example	Explanation
Lewis uses foreshadowing to hint at the novel’s tragic ending, planting clues and hints throughout the story that build towards the climactic events. For example, he foreshadows the breakdown of Carol’s marriage through her growing disillusionment with small-town life and her increasing sense of isolation.	The foreshadowing creates a sense of tension and anticipation throughout the novel, and underscores the novel’s themes of isolation and disconnection.
Lewis uses foreshadowing to hint at the potential for change and growth within the novel’s characters. For example, he foreshadows Carol’s eventual departure from Gopher Prairie through her growing restlessness and dissatisfaction with her life.	The foreshadowing creates a sense of hope and possibility within the novel, and underscores the importance of individual

Symbolism

Example	Explanation
Lewis uses symbolism to represent the barrenness and emptiness of small-town life. For example, the physical landscape of Gopher Prairie is often described as flat, lifeless, and monotonous, symbolizing the lack of vibrancy and creativity in the town.	The symbolism highlights the novel’s critique of small-town life, and underscores the need for individuals to seek out meaning and purpose in their lives despite the oppressive environment in which they live.
Lewis uses symbolism to represent the emotional and psychological state of the novel’s characters. For example, he uses the imagery of masks and facades to represent the ways in which the characters hide their true selves from each other and the world.	The symbolism underscores the novel’s themes of isolation and disconnection, and highlights the emotional toll that conformity and social pressure can take on individuals.
Lewis uses symbolism to represent the tension between tradition and progress. For example, he uses the imagery of the train to symbolize the forward momentum of progress, while also highlighting the way in which new technologies and social norms can be threatening and disruptive.	The symbolism highlights the need for individuals and communities to navigate the tension between tradition and progress in order to achieve a more fulfilling and equitable society.

Characterization

Example	Explanation
Lewis creates complex and multi-dimensional characters that feel like real people. For example, Carol Milford is a sympathetic and relatable protagonist, with a range of hopes, fears, and flaws that make her a compelling character.	The characterization allows the reader to connect with the characters on a deep emotional level, and emphasizes the ways in which individuals can be shaped by their environment and social context.
Lewis uses characterization to critique the narrow-mindedness and conformity of small-town life. For example, he portrays the residents of Gopher Prairie as shallow and lacking in imagination, emphasizing the ways in which conformity can stifle creativity and individuality.	The characterization underscores the novel’s critique of small-town life, and highlights the importance of maintaining one’s own sense of identity and purpose in the face of social pressure.
Lewis uses characterization to highlight the different ways in which people respond to the pressures of society. For example, he contrasts Carol’s idealism and restlessness with the more pragmatic attitudes of the town’s residents, highlighting the tension between individuality and social conformity.	The characterization underscores the novel’s themes of identity, belonging, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world, and emphasizes the need for individuals to navigate these tensions in order to achieve a fulfilling and purposeful life.

Imaginative Description

Example	Explanation
Lewis uses imaginative descriptions to create a vivid and memorable portrait of small-town life. For example, he describes the town’s main street in intricate detail, highlighting the monotony and homogeneity of small-town life.	The imaginative descriptions create a powerful sense of atmosphere, and underscore the novel’s critique of the conformity and narrow-mindedness that can result from living in such an environment.
Lewis uses imaginative descriptions to highlight the physical and emotional toll that small-town life can take on individuals. For example, he describes the “depressed-looking” women of Gopher Prairie, highlighting the emotional isolation and disconnection that many of the novel’s characters experience.	The imaginative descriptions underscore the novel’s themes of isolation and disconnection, and emphasize the need for individuals to seek out meaningful connections with others in order to live a fulfilling and purposeful life.

Motif

Example	Explanation
Lewis uses the motif of travel to highlight the tension between tradition and progress, and the search for meaning and purpose in a rapidly changing world. For example, Carol travels from Gopher Prairie to St. Paul and Chicago, encountering a range of different people and experiences along the way.	The motif underscores the novel’s themes of identity, belonging, and the search for meaning in a complex and rapidly changing world, and emphasizes the importance of engaging with the wider world in order to broaden one’s perspective and enrich one’s life.
Lewis uses the motif of music to highlight the emotional and cultural richness that can be found outside of small-town life. For example, he describes the music of a visiting opera company as “an escape, a liberation” from the suffocating environment of Gopher Prairie.	The motif underscores the novel’s critique of small-town life, and highlights the need for individuals to seek out new experiences and cultural influences in order to live a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Lewis uses the motif of nature to highlight the tension between humanity and the natural world. For example, he describes the “naked loneliness” of the prairie landscape, and the way in which the characters are often isolated and disconnected from the natural world around them.	The motif underscores the novel’s themes of isolation and disconnection, and highlights the need for individuals to cultivate a deeper connection with the natural world in order to achieve a more balanced and fulfilling life.

FAQs 💭