Sinclair Lewis’ novel Dodsworth is about the amb itious automobile manufacturer Sam
Dodsworth from a town called Zenith, somewhere in the United States. At the age of 50, Sam
is rich enough to refuse the well-paid job his company offers him. His American wife of
German descent, Fran, convinces him to live in Europe for a while. And so the Dodsworths
experience England, France and Germany in the late 1920ies. Sam, “the great Herr Geheimrat
Generaldirektor that developed the entire motor industry” (116) – as Fran called him once
ironically – goes with his wife on a trip to Europe to escape the narrowness of the provincial
town of Zenith. During this journey to Europe, or especially during their stay in Berlin, Sam
and Fran’s marriage falls apart.
In this novel, Berlin seems to function as the basic cause for the ruin of the Dodsworths’
marriage. What is the power, the influence, that Berlin exerts on the Dodsworths’ life? Fran
and Count Kurt von Obersdorf, two of the main characters, are both responsible for the later
separation of Fran and Sam and the breaking of their matrimony by divorce. Why was this
possible in Berlin?
This question is closely connected with the American conception of Germany. It must be
clarified how America views Germany, which image of Germany is portrayed in Sinclair
Lewis’ novel. In this context, the attitudes of the different characters (Sam, Fran, Count
Obersdorf, etc.) towards Germany must be analyzed. However, since Fran’s ancestors came
directly from Europe (Germany), her conception of this country differs significantly from
Sam’s. The latter represents the standard Mid-Western American of the early 20th century and
has never been abroad to Europe.
The interpretation of three selected sample passages will demonstrate how the image of
Germany develops throughout the novel, and how this changing image eventually affects Fran
and Sam’s marriage. Sam Dodsworth is the main character of the novel and his mind and
ideas also undergo a development. [...]
At a glance
- Grade: 1.0 (1.0 is the best grade)
- Literary analysis of three selected sample passages from Sinclair Lewis' novel Dodsworth
- Textual examination of Chapter 1 depicting Fran Voelker's German-American heritage and background
- Interpretation of Professor Braut's speech on European aristocracy in Chapter 23
Table of Contents
1. Introduction and Background: Fran Voelker's Heritage
2. Cultural Encounters and Allusions to Germany
3. Professor Braut's Conception of the European Aristocrat
4. Character Contrasts: Sam Dodsworth, Fran, and Count Kurt von Obersdorf
5. Sam's Disillusionment and Final Reflections
6. Conclusion: The Ruin of Marriage and Cultural Perception
Objectives & Topics
This paper examines how the image of Germany is portrayed and developed in Sinclair Lewis' 1929 novel Dodsworth, focusing on how contrasting American and European cultural ideals influence the characters and precipitate the dissolution of Sam and Fran Dodsworth's marriage.
- Analysis of Fran Voelker's German-American heritage and cultural pretensions
- The dichotomy between American commercial materialism and European aristocratic traditions
- Professor Braut's lecture on European intellectual refinement versus American mechanization
- The character of Count Kurt von Obersdorf as the embodiment of feudal European culture
- Sam Dodsworth's evolving perspective, sense of cultural inadequacy, and eventual resignation
Excerpt from the Book
During the party professor Braut lectures Fran about his view of Germany
During the party professor Braut lectures Fran about his view of Germany, or of Europe in general. This second passage (Chapter 23, pp. 274-277), in which Professor Braut demonstrates his image of Germany and his concept of the European aristocrat is crucial in order to understand in what way Germany functions in the novel as a whole. From this highly important speech Sam gets a completely new image of Germany. No other passage in the novel can offer so much for the subject to be treated.
In this speech, America is deeply contrasted with Europe. America only seems to aspire producing more consumer goods and acquiring more comfort while Europe stresses culture and tradition. Professor Braut first touches on some significant epochs of Prussian history: Bismarck's blood-and-iron policy, Luther as an important figure on the religious stage, der alte Fritz as a famous statesman and expert in French culture. According to Professor Braut, Europeans – no matter whether German, French, Polish, etc. – must stand together against the people of all other continents in order to guarantee the vitality of European culture. Europe has an aristocratic culture (that is government of the best) and not a democratic one (government of the people in general). Braut emphasizes his point by means of citing three great figures of erudition: Albert Einstein, representing physics or science in general; Sigmund Freud, the psychoanalyst; and Thomas Mann, as a man of letters. The contribution of all other people is to produce such great men. Professor Braut believes this to be more important than “having more automobiles, more bath-tubs” (275).
In addition, professor Braut states an example of how much better servants are treated in Europe in comparison with the United States, as “aristocratic” does not mean any haughtiness or arrogance of manners. The French expression “hauteur” is chosen here in order to give a more elegant tinge (275). According to Mr. Braut, European aristocrats feel responsible for tradition and have “to carry on the culture”.
Chapter Summary
1. Introduction and Background: Fran Voelker's Heritage: Introduces the premise of the novel and examines Fran's ancestral German roots in Chapter 1 as Sam Dodsworth's initial impression of German culture.
2. Cultural Encounters and Allusions to Germany: Traces the various references, German loanwords, and industrial motifs encountered by the Dodsworths leading up to their arrival in Berlin.
3. Professor Braut's Conception of the European Aristocrat: Details the key philosophical lecture in Chapter 23 contrasting European intellectualism and tradition with American materialism and Fordism.
4. Character Contrasts: Sam Dodsworth, Fran, and Count Kurt von Obersdorf: Explores how Kurt von Obersdorf personifies the aristocratic ideal, driving Fran away from her provincial husband.
5. Sam's Disillusionment and Final Reflections: Evaluates Sam's conversation with Edith Cortright in Chapter 31, where he recognizes the superficiality of tourist travel and doubts his previous assumptions.
6. Conclusion: The Ruin of Marriage and Cultural Perception: Summarizes how Berlin and aristocratic traditions ultimately shatter the Dodsworth marriage while allowing Sam to attain personal peace.
Keywords
Sinclair Lewis, Dodsworth, American literature, image of Germany, Berlin, European aristocracy, cultural assimilation, materialism, Fran Voelker, Sam Dodsworth, Kurt von Obersdorf, Professor Braut, trans-Atlantic culture, expatriates
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this paper?
The paper investigates the depiction and evolution of the image of Germany in Sinclair Lewis' novel Dodsworth and analyzes its destructive effect on the protagonist's marriage.
What are the primary thematic areas explored?
The key themes include the contrast between European aristocratic cultivation and American industrialism, cultural assimilation among German-Americans, and the psychological impact of travel on national identity.
What is the main objective and research question?
The main objective is to clarify how America viewed Germany in the 1920s through the literary attitudes of different characters and to show why Berlin acts as the catalyst for the Dodsworths' divorce.
Which scientific method is applied in the study?
The paper utilizes close literary analysis and textual interpretation centered around three specific sample passages from the novel.
What is discussed in the main analysis?
The main body examines Fran's German heritage, Professor Braut's lecture defining European aristocracy, the romantic entanglement with Count Kurt von Obersdorf, and Sam's retrospective dinner with Edith Cortright.
Which key concepts characterize the text?
Important concepts include American materialism, European aristocracy, cultural contrast, provincialism, and marital alienation.
How does Professor Braut contrast Europe and the United States?
Professor Braut portrays Europe as the sanctuary of human dignity, culture, and intellect, while criticizing America for prioritizing technology, standardized comfort, and consumer goods over genuine spiritual and artistic values.
Why does Kurt von Obersdorf refuse to marry Fran?
Despite their mutual attraction, Kurt adheres to strict aristocratic and family traditions, which forbid him from marrying Fran because she is not Catholic and would be a divorcee.
What role does the thunderstorm motif play in the novel?
The author uses thunderstorms as symbols of destruction each time Sam attempts to save his marriage, marking turbulent flights and voyages across the Atlantic.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2003, America’s image of Germany exemplified by Sinclair Lewis’ novel 'Dodsworth', München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/23492
