New Women Images In Sinclair Lewis's Novels

Sinclair Lewis (February 7,1885—January 10,1951) is a representative writer in defining modern American literature. He reached his peak years in 1920s and was acclaimed by the critics as the observer and reviewer with multi-angle and the excellent satirist and critic in his time. The critics show much concern about his five novels published in 1920s--Main Street, Babbitt, Arrowsmith, Elmer Gantry and Doadsworth, focusing on the element of realism and the art of satire in the works, but pay little attention to his feminist novels except for Main Street which brings him initial fame. Researches on Main Street concentrate on the analysis of the protagonist, and the exploration of American small-town theme. Less attention was paid to Lewis's early works like The Job and his late writing such as Ann Vickers.At the turn of the twentieth century, American women appeared on the historical stage as the "new women" by shaking off most characteristics imposed on Victorian Lady. However, as new women, they all confronted with living predicaments. Therefore, the thesis emphasizes on the three protagonists in Lewis's corresponding novels, The Job, Main Street and Ann Vickers. Their living dilemmas are revealed through the discussion of their images as new women. The different denouement of them shows Lewis's viewpoints on the way out for these new women to pursue self-realization.The thesis comprises five chapters:in the Introduction, it discusses the literary reputation of Sinclair Lewis, points out the new concern about the woman image in Lewis's novels on the basis of the current researches on his works abroad and in China, and presents the historical background of new women on American society. Chapter One analyzes the new women images and their predicaments in Lewis's three novels by referring to the new women characteristics talked above. Chapter Two shows their efforts to get out of the dilemmas to achieve self-realization by focusing on the new women under traditional restraints and the Women Suffrage Movement. Chapter Three reveals Lewis's viewpoints on the future lives for new women. When creating literary figures, Lewis is influenced by his personal experience and the historical background.As a conclusion, this thesis presents Lewis's contradictory attitudes towards the future of women. One is to obtain personal success as Una and Ann who represents the influence of Horatio Alger tradition which advocates realizing personal goals through one's own efforts on the American. Lewis believes all other women in American society will be inspired to pursue their self-realization by following the models of these successful women. The other is to return to the traditional women's place in the family like Carol when personal success can not be achieved, but not letting them abandon the faith of the self-pursuit. Lewis's novels demonstrate the living conditions of the new women in the early twentieth century and their efforts to achieve self-realization. It is necessary to emphasize the continuities of the successor's efforts in order to solve the new dilemmas for women.