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Sinclair Lewis

Sinclair Lewis. 

Sinclair Lewis (1885-1951) was a successful American novelist and short story writer who was known for his outspoken criticisms of American culture and society. He was also the first American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Throughout his life he battled with alcoholism and eventually succumbed to it on January 10th 1951. 

Sinclair Lewis is introduced relatively early in the novel as a critic who has publicly championed Callaghan's work and thinks very highly of him as a writer. He only appears once in person and is described as something of an isolated figure who uses flattery and humour in order to charm his peers.

"All Lewis’ energy, change of mood, goodwill, gaiety, had left us feeling a little drunk." (Callaghan, 1963).

This quote suggests that Lewis puts on something of a show for his visitors, to the point where it could actually be seen as overwhelming. However, the reference to Lewis as being "lonely" (Callaghan, 1963) perhaps suggests a slight air of desperation, as opposed to his kindness and good-humour being entirely genuine.

In the overall context of the book, Lewis' role is somewhat minor other than during his brief appearance shortly before Callaghan travels to Paris.

This chart, which was made in Voyant, shows that the vast majority of mentions of Lewis' name are in the opening sections of the book. This suggests that, for the most part, perhaps despite having an immediate effect on Callaghan when they first met, his influence did not carry on to the book's later stages.

 

Works Cited:
 

Image: 

http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/65/10265-004-33F7388B.jpg

References: 

The Biography Channel website. 1996-2012. Sinclair Lewis. http://www.biography.com/people/sinclair-lewis-9381356 (accessed Nov 27, 2012).

Callaghan, Morley. 1963. That Summer in Paris: Memories of Tangled Friendships with Ernest Hemingway and Scott Fitzgerald. http://fitzgerald.narod.ru/bio/callaghan-thatsum.html.