Why Is Sinclair Lewis Important In The 1920s

Sinclair Lewis was a prominent literary figure during the 1920s, for he wrote about the critical views of the American middle class during the controversial time of World War II. He confronted the roles of women, race, and other powerless people in the society. He acknowledged the problems of America by giving his characters and settings universality that allowed a small town to represent all of America. Sinclair Lewis was set apart from other writers due to his universal writing, concentration of critical issues, and his unstructured way of writing. He, “ Was the conscience of his generation and he could well serve as the conscience of our own. His analysis of the America of the 1920s holds true for the America of today. His prophecies have become our truths and his fears our most crucial problems,” (Sinclair Lewis). Although his writing and views were
His first novel, Main Street, was published in 1920, and it was a satire that told the story of an American myth. This story set place in Sinclair Lewis’ hometown of Gopher Prairie, which was used to represent all American towns, and this universal idea set Sinclair Lewis apart from other authors. He then went on to publish a story about a businessman titled Babbitt in 1922, and this novel went on to be Sinclair Lewis’ greatest accomplishment. Three years later he published a story about a medical scientist who searched for the truth, called Arrowsmith. In 1926, he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize, but he declined for the award represented, The wholesome atmosphere of American Life,” (Sinclair Lewis Biography). He went on to publish Mantrap in 1926, Elmer Gantry in 1927, and The Man Who Knew Coolidge in 1928. Later on in 1928, Sinclair Lewis married his second wife, Dorothy Thompson. Then in 1929 he published his final prosperous book titled Dodsworth, and any books after these by Sinclair Lewis were