Sinclair Lewis’s Arrowsmith is the story of Martin Arrowsmith, a lonely individual with great potential struggling against society. Lewis uses his main character, Martin Arrowsmith, to demonstrate dangers of corruption in the practice of medicine. Martin’s stubbornness and curiosity make him perfect for scientific research, although he quite often strays away. Martin strays away because of the things he criticizes the most: money, success, fame, and respect. Sinclair Lewis follows Martin’s life as he moves from job to job desperately seeking something he enjoys. As a young boy, Martin Arrowsmith always knew he was going to work in some sort of medical field; however, women, professors, and medical institutions quickly teach him that he can…show more content… Martin’s life becomes miserable after marrying his new wife, Joyce Lanyon (Shuman 858). Joyce Lanyon is a socialite who spends her time frivolously. Living with the elite Martin spends a lot of money and tries to fit into his wife’s life. Martin finds himself unhappy, realizing he cannot live the kind of lifestyle his wife does. Always thinking back to Max, Martin knows he can not be happy without research.
Finally, Martin decides to abandon his fancy life and find his happiness. After turning his back on society, Martin decides to meet up with an old friend to live together. Martin is finally going to try what Max has taught him to do all along: research (Shuman 858). However, this time it will not be with the distractions that have pulled him away in the past. Martin searches for his salvation in solitude, trying to reconnect with his happiness. Martin Arrowsmith makes the decision to live in the woods where he can truly work on his research with peace.
At the end of the book, Martin has finally accepted independence. He has finally become free from, responsibilities, public life, hypocrisies, and careerism. Martin realized at a young age that he could only be happy in the lab, however, throughout his journey through life, everything he learned, and seen help him to really understand this
