Character Clues

Character Analysis

Family Life

Martin Arrowsmith and Max Gottlieb have something in common: they're both scientists who totally neglect their families for the sake of their work. Martin is a little less comfortable with this than Gottlieb, because he (Martin) often asks his wife Leora what he could do to be a better husband. But the truth is that Leora is happy to support him while he pursues his scientific experiment. This is great news for the life of their marriage, because Martin is a total workaholic.

When Martin remarries, his new life Joyce is unhappy with being neglected. But rather than work less, Martin leaves her and their infant son in order to devote himself to science in Vermont. Martin's inability ever to have a stable family life is definitely a direct result of his obsession with science. Martin can't have it both ways. He can either have a normal family life or he can follow his individual ambitions.

Occupation

Finding a decent job is one of Martin Arrowsmith's biggest problems. And when we say "decent job," we don't just mean a job that pays well. Martin wants to find a way to make enough money to live on while still being able to do what he loves. This proves to be a problem, though, because the world isn't interested in Martin's science experiments and it doesn't want to pay him for pursuing them.

And Martin is so allergic to anything that suggests politics that he leaves jobs several times rather than be put in a position of power or in a position where he might have to (cringe!) attend too many dinner parties.

It's only at the end of the novel that Martin seems to find a perfect job for himself, working in a shack in the Vermont woods with his buddy Terry. Martin isn't the only scientist on a quest for a Dream Job, though: Terry and Max Gottlieb also feel frustrated with the scientific job market.

Social Status

Martin Arrowsmith is a bit conflicted when it comes to social status. He often travels in rich circles, which constantly reminds him of how much money everyone seems to have. And there are times when he wonders if he should just do something practical with his life and make money.

But he always pulls back from this temptation and recommits himself to the quest for truth at all costs. Other characters like Angus Duer and Dr. Pickerbaugh, however, make the choice of status over all else. They totally throw away all thoughts of truth and goodness for the sake of making a quick buck and getting a bit of social power.

Thoughts and Opinions

Sinclair Lewis spends a lot of time documenting his characters' thoughts and opinions, especially when these thoughts and opinions are contradicted by what the character actually does. Dr. Pickerbaugh, for example, says that he's committed to promoting public health… but he's more than willing to take a few dollars from a milk farmer to look the other way on safety violations.

The same goes for a man like Angus Duer, who always acts prim and proper… but who nearly murders someone with a knife when he loses his temper. Time and again, characters in this book tend to say and do very different things. You could even say that Martin Arrowsmith's major quest in this book is to find a way to act truly on what he believes instead of always having to compromise.