Arrowsmith

I vividly recall reading another work by Sinclair Lewis when I was approximately 20 years old. I was truly captivated by his biting humor and the remarkable precision with which he dissected social issues. I have a hazy memory of the book details, but I firmly believe it was 'Main Street.' Regrettably, I cannot offer much praise for Arrowsmith.

The book chronicles the life of Martin Arrowsmith from his childhood well into his late middle years. It is filled with emotional oscillations between leading a comfortable existence as a renowned and respected doctor and forsaking trivial comforts in the pursuit of pure science. Sinclair Lewis elongated the rather simplistic plot - that of a dreamy medic in search of his life's purpose - over a hefty volume of more than 600 pages (in my particular edition). The quest for life's meaning is presented in a circular fashion, commencing from what Arrowsmith envisioned as a student and culminating in his ultimate choice of science over wealth. Accompanying the diffident Arrowsmith, readers encounter static characters, both male and female, deliberately crafted to accentuate the author's perspective. Boisterous yet dim-witted careerists, forgotten idealists, incompetent administrators - we are all familiar with these archetypes. The characters step into the spotlight to either impede or assist the main protagonist, and certain plot twists (such as Arrowsmith's marriage to a woman with a diametrically opposed worldview) seem rather contrived. The author's central theme is the perpetual struggle in life: selfless dedication to science versus the pursuit of monetary gain or, in broader terms, choosing oneself over serving the interests of others.

The book is relatively easy to read, thanks to the elegant prose and engaging dialogues (particularly towards the end of the book), which help to mitigate the moralistic elements. Similar to all literary works of that era, the story features extensive introductions to each character. However, as is often the case with classical literature, these lengthy passages, although not advancing the plot, do not pose insurmountable barriers.

In summary, based on my observations, I can say that I derived some enjoyment from Arrowsmith on a linguistic level, yet I remained unimpressed by its semantic content. After much deliberation between awarding it 2 or 3 stars, I have decided to give the book 2.5 stars, which I have rounded up to three.

Lewis' novels possess a remarkable timeless quality. The subjects of his satire, which he actively explored during his writing career, remain highly relevant even in today's society. With great skill, Lewis breathes life into both his main and supporting characters, infusing them with humor and drama. At times, the drama may verge on the melodramatic, but it's impossible not to be charmed by it.

Specifically regarding Arrowsmith, I would assert that Lewis has crafted a character who is, in the end, deeply human, much like each and every one of us. I found myself truly sympathizing with Arrowsmith and all of his reactions to the events that unfold in his life. His responses are not always exemplary, but they are incredibly believable to me.

Other characters created by Lewis elicit a range of emotions from me, making me laugh or sigh depending on the portrayal of their shallowness, venality, or absurdity. However, we are all familiar with such characters from our own lives. Lewis indeed makes numerous social statements in his works, and Arrowsmith is no different. This is precisely what I adore about him.

I read this in high school.

However, I don't remember much about it.

The only thing that stands out is that in general, I had a greater preference for his books compared to some of the other ones that I was obligated to read.

His writing style might have been more engaging or perhaps the stories he told had a certain charm that appealed to me.

Even though the details have faded from my memory, the overall impression of enjoying his works more than others still lingers.

It makes me wonder if I should revisit those books now and see if my perception has changed.

Maybe I'll discover new aspects and appreciate them even more.

Or perhaps the passage of time has altered my tastes, and what I once liked might not have the same appeal.

Nonetheless, the fact that I had a positive inclination towards his books during my high school days is something that I still remember.

Set in the first decades of the 20th century,

the story offers the reader a fascinating glimpse into the medical profession during that era.

We accompany Martin Arrowsmith on his journey, starting from medical school, then becoming a country doctor, a small town health inspector, a well-paid pathologist, and finally a passionate scientist in bacteriology.

Throughout this adventure, he gets married, indulges in excessive drinking, grapples with the direction of his life, achieves fame, and unfortunately loses friends.

However, for my current mood, this narrative felt a bit too sluggish and overly wordy.

It seemed to lack the necessary pace and conciseness to fully engage my interest.

Perhaps in a different state of mind, I would have been more receptive to its detailed and deliberate style.

Nevertheless, it does provide a comprehensive portrayal of the medical field and the personal trials and tribulations of its protagonist during that time period.

I have an extensive collection of books by Sinclair Lewis. The very first book of his that I delved into was Elmer Gantry, and I was truly captivated. Mr. Lewis possesses a distinct writing style that sets him apart. In his initial novel, he shone a spotlight on the hypocrisy within the so-called Christian community.

In this particular work, he turns his attention to the medical profession and the driving forces behind people's actions. Martin Arrowsmith, commencing his journey as a medical student, represents the antithesis of commercial medicine. His views begin to take shape during his university years.

However, the majority of his perspectives stand in stark contrast to the prevalent thinking of that era. Most of his friends are pursuing medicine not with the intention of helping others, but rather with the sole aim of amassing wealth. Martin simply cannot tolerate such a mindset. Working closely with his immunology professor, Mr. Gottlieb, Arrowsmith develops a profound love for both medicine and his mentor.

Mr. Gottlieb is a highly decorated researcher in the medical field. Nevertheless, his lack of financial prosperity renders him unappealing to some of his contemporaries and even his students. Paradoxically, it is precisely this aspect of his life that draws Arrowsmith to him. He follows Gottlieb to Zenith Hospital, where he serves as an intern under his guidance. Additionally, one could argue that they share a similar personality trait. Both suffer from what modern psychologists refer to as a "superiority complex." They firmly believe that they are superior to others in the medical profession.

Martin's love life is also worthy of mention. Initially, he falls head over heels in love with a woman named 'Matlieb'. However, due to their divergent worldviews, Martin decides to end the relationship, opting instead for the more understanding and accommodating Leora. She is more receptive to his ideas and wholeheartedly supports him in every decision he makes. She goes to such lengths as to part ways with her own family. Moreover, she is extremely beautiful, which leads Martin to become overly possessive of her. His outbursts when she dances with other men are a direct result of his uncontrollable jealousy. He seems to become her slave rather than her equal partner.

His love for Leora and his passion for medicine emerge as the two most competing interests in his life. He endeavors to strike a balance between the two. His fear of losing his wife during the brief moments when she is out of his sight vividly demonstrates his desire not to sacrifice either of these loves. He also jumps from one job to another in his quest for the perfect career. Anything that poses a threat to his research in the medical field is promptly discarded in favor of a more closely aligned area of his choosing. The only constants in his life are Gottlieb and Leora.

I firmly believe that Sinclair Lewis is remarkably honest in his剖析 of human nature and emotions. He encourages us to strive for the betterment of the public in our respective fields of expertise, rather than being solely motivated by monetary gain. It is only through this unwavering passion that we can achieve true excellence.

This is a truly remarkable piece of writing that manages to be both witty and sarcastic, while also being deeply moving and sad.

The author's use of language is masterful, as they are able to convey complex emotions and ideas with just a few well-chosen words.

The wit and sarcasm add a layer of humor to the piece, which helps to lighten the mood and make it more accessible to readers. However, beneath the humor lies a profound sadness and a sense of loss that is truly heart-wrenching.

This is a read that will stay with you long after you have finished it, leaving you with a sense of both admiration for the author's talent and a deep sense of empathy for the characters and their struggles.

It is a must-read for anyone who appreciates great writing and wants to experience a story that will touch their heart and soul.

I don't know how I made it through this extremely challenging situation. It feels like a blur, a hazy path that I somehow managed to traverse.

I also have no idea why I was able to persevere. Maybe it was some inner strength that I didn't even know I had.

During this time, there were countless moments of doubt and fear. But for some reason, I just kept going.

Perhaps it was the hope that things would get better, or the determination not to give up.

Whatever the reason, I am grateful that I was able to make it through.

This experience has taught me a lot about myself and my capabilities.

I now know that I am stronger than I thought, and that I can overcome even the most difficult obstacles.

I will carry this knowledge with me and use it to face whatever comes my way in the future.

This novel could have received a higher rating, but it has a significant problem.

It is overly long and seems to lack substance.

Only the chapters that involve the bubonic plague are interesting and dramatic.

The rest of the story fails to engage me and instead makes me feel extremely sleepy.

Perhaps if the author had trimmed down the unnecessary parts and focused more on developing the engaging elements, the novel would have been more enjoyable.

As it stands, it feels like a chore to get through, and I struggle to maintain my interest throughout.

It's a shame because the concept had potential, but the execution fell short.

I hope that future works by this author will show more refinement and better pacing to keep readers fully immersed.

This struck me as an absolutely brilliant book.

It is unremittingly savage and uncannily relevant in its satire of American racism, hypocrisy, capitalism, and imperialism.

Particularly where social and moneyed interests shape and have shaped higher education and research, Lewis is merciless, and I was delighted.

However, I was less than satisfied with the women in the book.

Lewis is undoubtedly a brilliant novelist, and they were all multifaceted characters, but all inevitably defined by their gender.

This is despite the fact that he has nothing but gleeful mockery for modern American models of masculinity.

It bothered me, but given the overall incisiveness of the novel, far less than it might have done otherwise.

The book's powerful critique of various aspects of American society makes it a must-read, even with the minor flaw regarding the portrayal of women.

It forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths and think deeply about the state of our world.

Overall, it is a remarkable work that will leave a lasting impression.

Sinclair Lewis has masterfully crafted Arrowsmith as a profound journey from imperfection to a state of striving for perfection. He concludes the story in a way that makes it seem as if he has stepped away from the narrative path, parting company with dear Dr. Martin Arrowsmith and the rest of the community. However, their odyssey continues. There is no grand and glorious victory of good over evil. There is no heroic figure triumphing over a non-existent villain. Instead, there is just Arrowsmith and Terry, tirelessly working on their quinine and perfecting their techniques. And there are all the others, whose lives simply progress, regardless of how good or bad they have been. In the end, it is only we, the readers, who have left the trail.

If there is one person in the entire story whom I deeply admire, it is Leora. Her complete and unconditional dedication to her Sandy Arrowsmith, her ability to endure loneliness without giving up on her beloved Sandy (as she affectionately calls him), her assertiveness when he attempts something foolish, and her wild, fearless personality all combine to make Arrowsmith more human. When she succumbs to the Plague, alone and whispering "Sandy! I know you will come!" my heart shatters. I think I should have stopped reading the story at that point. I felt the futility of everything else except the pursuit of science that Martin Arrowsmith experiences. I, too, felt that there was no use in reading further as the soul seemed to have left the story.

I was so thoroughly drawn into the imperfections of Dr. Martin Arrowsmith and his journey, filled with one blunder after another, yet still firmly adhering to the methods of science. As a fellow researcher, I empathized with every mistake he made and closely examined his experimental methods. The painstaking observations one must make, the long incubation period that scientific research demands, the patience required, the environment one must rely on, the fallacies one can fall into and thereby make a mockery of science - all these made me reflect on my own journey into research. My own feelings of disdain, my own lack of socialization, my own dilemmas and choices between scientific research and social life. For a while, I was like the bumbling Arrowsmith, fumbling to get ahead in life, and for another moment, I was the brilliant scientist who dared the unknown and unfamiliar and was hated for his sheer cold reasoning.

But the story is not just about Arrowsmith or any one individual. It is about the complex relationship between science and society. It is about what is considered a social success and a scientific success. Society is more forgiving of imperfections, while science is not. Therefore, social victories are more tolerant of imperfectionists, but scientific victories are not. In the world of social victors, there are countless shades of grey. In the world of a scientist, there is only black and white. A scientist labors to convert all grey areas into clear black and white. A social victor appreciates the nuances of grey. A scientist simply views all shades of grey as just that - grey, nothing more and nothing less. Gottlieb, Arrowsmith's mentor, is a perfect example of this temperament. His success as a scientist and his failure as the Director of a research institute evoke a sense of respect for the old man.

When you pick up this book, I have only one piece of advice. Have patience. Let the story sink in. Let yourself see through Arrowsmith's eyes, the unscientific world with its invitations and temptations. Witness the scientific world through his journey, observe its struggles and its weak foundation finding refuge in the resolute hearts of the Arrowsmiths of the scientific community. And allow yourself to be completely immersed. Soak in every detail. Then, when the end arrives, you will be ready to embark on your own journey.

When I read this book,

it truly initiated my profound love for Sinclair Lewis.

He, in my opinion, is like the Charles Dickens of the US,

possessing a remarkable talent for depicting the human condition and society.

This particular book revolves around a young man,

who embarks on a journey towards a career that he firmly believes he desires.

However, along the way,

he encounters numerous disappointments and experiences disillusionment in his life.

These setbacks force him to reevaluate his goals and values,

and through this process,

he begins to gain a deeper understanding of himself and the world around him.

The story is not only a portrayal of the young man's personal growth,

but also a reflection on the larger issues and challenges faced by individuals in modern society.

It makes the reader think about their own dreams and aspirations,

and how to navigate through the difficulties and uncertainties that come their way.

Erosmith can be called an "adult coming of age story." This novel is a valid testimony and critique of the American medical and social system almost a century ago.

The story follows the protagonist Martin Erosmith through his love affairs, the preparation stage of life, the marital stage, and the crisis stage in his career. The simultaneous presence of humor and pathos in the story creates a strange and diverse range of emotions in the reader's mind. In Erosmith, we find ourselves.

The harshest thing in life is perhaps twofold: 1. Where to start, 2. Where to stop.

Looking back at the age when Erosmith began to find himself, and looking at myself at this age, I feel that I still haven't been able to start. After overcoming all kinds of obstacles and inner conflicts, perhaps one day I will also be able to stand firm in my own path; at least there is no harm in hoping!!

(June 10, 2022)