Ambivalence in Sinclair Lewis’ Dodsworth

Abstract

Sinclair Lewis (1885-1951) represents an important stage in American literature. He shoulders the responsibility of denunciation o falseness of human societies. His own people is his starting point. He removes the veil from the hidden guise and leaves it bare to the public world. Thus , his novels are seen by his people as a capital betrayal and his attitudes as part of his disloyalty for his country. In spite of the punishments and ostracism, he achieves a surprised literary success, becomes a vital member of the “lost generation”1 and crowns his skyrocketing with receiving the Noble Prize in 1930. The cruel chains an his pen fail. He is one of the pioneer voice that opens a new chapter in American literature “the literature of revolt.”