Main Street

Set in the small town of Gopher Prairie, the novel follows Carol Milford, a young college graduate who strives to introduce culture and change after marrying a local doctor. Her idealistic attempts clash with the entrenched conformity, pettiness, and bigotry of the townsfolk, revealing the stark contrast between her aspirations and the reality of provincial life. Sinclair Lewis critiques the myth of idyllic small-town living, drawing from his own experiences to illustrate the challenges of individuality and progress in a conformist society.