Questions About Main Street

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Answered Questions (2)

When Carol arrives in Gopher Prairie, the Rosebud Theater is showing "Fatty in Love," which came out in 1919 when Lewis was writing MS. But we learn later that Carrie arrived in Gopher Prairie in 1912. So, did Lewis make up a fictitious Fatty Arbuckle film that Paramount actually made before the book was published, or did Lewis goof by mentioning a film he knew about but was too late for the timeline?

Colette I imagine he just goofed. Lewis mentions novels, plays, movies, philosophers, and artists in the book left and right (it is clear he was a very well r…moreI imagine he just goofed. Lewis mentions novels, plays, movies, philosophers, and artists in the book left and right (it is clear he was a very well read and highly cultured) however, I am sure it was not easy for him to keep track of all the dates those works were published.(less)

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Do you think the book works as a satire of the dreary town and its unsophisticated townsfolk? Or is it a more even-handed exploration of traditionalism vs. modernism?

Mike in Nevada Neither, although if pressed I would say a commentary on traditionalism vs. modernism. I think it's more personal, how each one of us in our youth exp…moreNeither, although if pressed I would say a commentary on traditionalism vs. modernism. I think it's more personal, how each one of us in our youth expect to make our mark on the world in some way. The reality is that time marches on at its own pace. Carol was college-educated and planned to change Gopher Prairie, if not the world. She struggles against being just like all the other townsfolk. Her efforts are dynamic to the end (at least by Gopher Prairie standards), but she ends up having a bemused resignation to the futility in trying to change others. I enjoyed Main Street but would recommend it only to those, like myself, who love the perspective of history.(less)

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