Q&A

What is Arrowsmith by Sinclair Lewis about?

What is Arrowsmith by Sinclair Lewis about?

Arrowsmith tells the story of bright and scientifically minded Martin Arrowsmith of Elk Mills, Winnemac (the same fictional state in which several of Lewis’s other novels are set), as he makes his way from a small town in the Midwest to the upper echelons of the scientific community at a prestigious foundation in New …

Is Arrowsmith based on a true story?

For my research, I came across the Pulitzer Prize winning novel Arrowsmith, written by Harry Sinclair Lewis (1885-1951) in 1925 and based upon the experiences of the (by now) famous bacteriologist Paul de Kruif (1890-1971).

What did Sinclair Lewis criticize?

His social satire was critical of American life and certain types of Americans and institutions which he felt harmed Americans and prevented the country from living up to its democratic ideals. Lewis’s representation of the middle class and its discontent was presented through satire and social criticism.

When did Sinclair Lewis write Arrowsmith?

1925
In 1925, Sinclair Lewis published “Arrowsmith,” the first novel ever devoted to the life and adventures of a medical scientist. His Pulitzer Prize winning book brilliantly tells the story of a physician’s relentless search for truth.

How many chapters are in Arrowsmith?

forty chapters
Arrowsmith is divided into forty chapters, each subdivided into shorter sections headed by roman numerals.

What religion was Sinclair Lewis?

Lewis replaced his lost religious faith with the new faith of socialism. For Lewis, it is secular faith which is based on rational, empirical things of this world that endures.

What is an arrow Smith?

Arrowsmith or Arrowsmiths may refer to: A person who makes arrows (see fletching and bowyer) Arrowsmith (novel), by Sinclair Lewis.

Why was Elmer Gantry banned?

On publication, Elmer Gantry had a sensational reception. So scandalous was Lewis’s portrayal of religion that the novel was banned in several cities and denounced from pulpits across the nation. The famous evangelist Billy Sunday called Lewis “Satan’s cohort.”

What did Sinclair Lewis write?

Sinclair Lewis Books Known for their satirical take on modern affairs, his best-known books include Main Street, Arrowsmith, Babbitt, and Dodsworth. In 1930, he became the first U.S. writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Was Sinclair Lewis a fundamentalist?

He wrote in his diary, “There are many things as to the Christian religion that make it almost impossible to believe it.” He was to remain an agnostic throughout life. From 1903-1906 he attended Yale University where he served as editor of their literary magazine.

Is the book Arrowsmith by Sinclair Lewis outdated?

One could look at Arrowsmith as an outdated book from nearly 100 years ago for which its author refused the prestigious Pulitzer Prize in 1926, but one would be missing something important in this reader’s opinion.

Which is the first scientific book by Sinclair Lewis?

Arrowsmith is often described as the first “scientific” novel. The books explores medical and scientific themes in a fictional way and it is difficult to think of an earlier book that does this.

Who are the main characters in the movie Arrowsmith?

In this adaptation of the acclaimed novel by Sinclair Lewis, Dr. Martin Arrowsmith (Ronald Colman) marries nurse Leora Tozer (Helen Hayes) and misses out on a position with the esteemed Prof. Max Gottlieb.

Is the book Arrowsmith based on a true story?

One of John Ford’s in-depth probes of the doctor’s role in society, Arrowsmith was based on the novel by Sinclair Lewis who refused the 1926 Pulitzer because of the prize’s alleged advocacy of work that endorsed “the wholesome American life.” June 19, 2005 | Rating: B+ | Full Review…