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... In the novel Main Street, Lewis reveals the actual way every small town exists. Even before the plot line begins, Lewis declares that what he writes holds true for all rural communities by writing in his forward, “…This is America… Main Street is the continuation of Main Streets everywhere.” [Lewis-Forward] Satire is practiced in all aspects of the novel, but most importantly to help elaborate character development. Sinclair Lewis uses satire to develop his characters in the way he accentuates provincial pride, stereotypes small town life and emphasizes surface caricatures.
To expand on this idea, the fashion in which Sinclair Lewis focuses on small town arrogance assists the novel to contain an ample amount of satire. ... This shows satire in the way that
the community thinks, “…The American village remains the one sure abode of friendship, honesty, and clean sweet marriageable girls.” [Lewis-307] By having faith in this idea, satire is being utilized because the opposite is true. It is ironic that the Main Street society exhibits egotistical behavior, for pride is not considered a valuable virtue. ... This makes irony and satire evident. Finally, when the Main Street citizens spread rumors and gossip about unacceptable events and people, they themselves are participating in immoral activities. The hypocrisy written in the novel exudes satire in every way.
In addition to focusing on ego, Sinclair Lewis manipulates old stereotypes and creates some of his own to form satire in the novel.
Approximate Word count = 1194
Approximate Pages = 4.8
(250 words per page double spaced)
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