Sinclair Lewis - part 2

Sandra read “Main Street”

I'll go along with those who would call this a great book.  It was first published in 1920 and became a big seller.  Apparently everyone had a copy of this book and presumably some of them even read it!  I find this fact really interesting because of the content of this book.   It presents things pretty much as they are instead of how many people like to think things are.  In other words, it tells a universal truth about people in a world where people like to fashion their own truths so I found it surprising that so many people would really like to read a book that tells it like it is.  Maybe the fact that this book was so successful in its day should help me give people a little more credit when I tend to be cynical about them!

 Even though it was set in a distant decade (1910’s) and a distant town (Gopher Prairie, Minnesota) part of the appeal of the book is its universal story.  It could be set in any decade in any small town in America as the people and events of daily life remain the same from decade to decade and town to town.  The people may change and the technology may change but human behavior remains the same.   

The idealized Disney Main Street is NOT
the Main Street Sinclair Lewis writes about

The protagonist is a woman, Carol Kennicott, from the “big” city of St. Paul who marries a small town doctor and moves to his beloved Gopher Prairie.  Will Kennicott woos Carol with the idea that she can come to this town and help make it a better place.  The idea appeals to her and she goes, but the problem is no one save her and one or two others think the town needs any improvement.  

Carol identifies many areas that she thinks could use some help.  She is not happy living among ugly and aesthetically dull  businesses and houses, or among intellectually vacant people.  No matter what goal she decides to work towards she is thwarted at every turn. 

Before marriage Carol was a librarian with a great love of books.  Her husband prefers movies because “One trouble with books is that they’re not so thoroughly safeguarded by intelligent censors as the movies are…”  Carol hopes she has found an ally in Vida Sherwin but Vida has no use for books that “tear down,  not build up…I can’t see any use in this high-art stuff that doesn’t encourage us day-laborers to plod on.”  I dare say Vida wouldn’t think much of mine and Ernie’s reading project then! 

Carol tries to fit in and joins the social activities that are expected of her.  But she finds little joy in the activities or conversation of the women in these clubs.  They spend much of their time whining about how good help is hard to find and how the help actually expect to be paid a decent wage for their efforts.  Carol does not fit in--  “I can’t be one of them if I must damn all the maids toiling in filthy kitchens, all the ragged hungry children.  And these women are to be my arbiters for the rest of my life!” 

Carol wants to reform the library, the city hall,  start a drama society, etc.  Her problem is she finds “dishonesties and stupidity in every human activity” she tries.  Much of her discontent lies in the fact that she won’t succumb to the pressure all around her that she change to be more like the people in the town rather than be allowed to have her own thoughts and opinions on things.  She tries to be grateful for her lot in life but knows she will never be happy if that lot is raising babies and washing dishes.  

Not a whole lot happens in the 500+ pages but it is good reading nonetheless.  The second half of the book is much better than the first half and I did wonder if Carol would ever find contentment, if not happiness.  If you are interested too, you should give it a try. 

Next week:  Another Hemingway book