In the book Main Street by Sinclair Lewis; Lewis portrays Carol, in nature, as a strong person; however, in circumstances where she is criticized or humiliated she reacts in a weak way.

Carol proves her strength several times throughout the book in dealing with Bea and her husband; however, never in dealing with herself.  She continuously shows a pattern of insecurity with it comes from outside criticism from the people in the town.  She may display strong qualities, but they are offset by her weak reactions to situations where she is under critique.

Carol shows her strength, first when standing up for Bea several times during the book.  She defends her good relationship and high salary, despite what the other people may think. When Juanita Haycock generalizes all maids as, "demanding every cent you can save, and so ignorant and impertinent, and on my word...