Arrowsmith Study Guide

Arrowsmith by Sinclair Lewis is the story of Martin Arrowsmith, a young Midwestern boy who dreams of being a medical researcher. Martin's life and career are tested by affronts to his authenticity and view of perfect medicine. Martin's isolationist tendencies allow him few friends and very one-sided romantic attachments. Throughout his career Martin finds success but cannot allow himself to cross over from pure research to commercial medicine and ultimately gives up his job, wife and son in favor of research in a cabin in Vermont. (read more)