The Satire of Sinclair Lewis

Author

Jack LaVerne Davis

Publication Date

8-5-1967

Abstract

Sinclair Lewis was the first American to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. In his acceptance speech Lewis characterized himself as "a writer whose most anarchistic assertion has been that America, with all her wealth and power, has not yet produced a civilization good enough to satisfy the deepest wants of human creatures.” And this assertion underlies most of Lewis's satiric attack upon a wide range of American middle-class values. These attacks were quite often contained in passages which are memorable today for their satiric brilliance. No doubt Lewis chose satire for his principal weapon because it permitted him to attack manners and morals without obliging him to offer alternatives. At his best, Sinclair Lewis created in his novels a brilliantly satiric vision of early twentieth-century America. This vision still remains lodged in our national consciousness.

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

American Studies

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

American Studies

First Committee Member (Chair)

Ernest Warren Baughman

Second Committee Member

George Warren Arms

Third Committee Member

Charles Burnet Judah

Recommended Citation

Davis, Jack LaVerne. "The Satire of Sinclair Lewis." (1967). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/amst_etds/143