The original winner of the 1926 Pulitzer Prize before the award was refused by the author, Arrowsmith is a 1925 novel by Sinclair Lewis. The book covers the topic of science culture, specifically the medical field, during the period.
The protagonist of Arrowsmith is Martin Arrowsmith, an ambitious and clever up-and-coming scientist who is steadily climbing the social ladder of the scientific community. He works many jobs and experiences a variety of things throughout his journey, including the arduous endeavor of medical school, as well as being a regional health official. However, Arrowsmith's most important undertaking so far is when he is invited to work in an eminent New York research institute, where he must work with contagious plague viruses in a highly hazardous setting. Throughout all of these experiences, Arrowsmith is futilely searching for his true calling in life, ultimately deciding to abandon prestigious high-paying jobs in favor of conducting his independent studies.
Arrowsmith is universally recognized as an extremely influential and well-written piece of literature. However, when the novel was presented with the Pulitzer Prize in 1926, Sinclair Lewis declined the award, citing his philosophies on awards: that they truly cause more harm than they are useful. Regardless, the book was successfully adapted into a film in 1931, which was nominated for four Academy Awards.
The novel has been described as a social commentary on the state of science and the medical industry in the United States during the 1920s. It critiques the commercialization of science and the market-based approach to medical research, depicting a world where the morality of scientific discoveries is often compromised for the sake of profit. The novel also deals with topics of ambition and morality, and the consequences of scientific progress.
Arrowsmith has been praised for its realistic and vivid depictions of the medical profession, and its exploration of the internal conflicts that drive scientific progress. Lewis's use of humor, irony, and satire is often credited with providing the novel with a unique and enjoyable reading experience. The novel has been cited as a major influence in the development of the genre of modern medical fiction and is considered to be a major work of medical literature.
The novel has been highly acclaimed by critics and readers alike. It is often considered to be one of Lewis's greatest works, and one of the most important works of medical fiction ever written. It has been praised for its insight into the human condition and its exploration of the ethical dilemmas faced by scientists and medical professionals. The novel has earned numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, and has been translated into multiple languages. It remains a relevant and widely celebrated piece of literature to this day.
