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. [...]
Table of Contents
1. Southern Connecticut State University
2. English Department
3. Spring 2003
4. ENG 600 – Independent Study: American Literature of the Early 1900s
5. America’s Image of Germany Exemplified by Sinclair Lewis’ Novel Dodsworth
Objectives and Themes
This academic paper examines the representation of Germany and the European continent in Sinclair Lewis’ novel Dodsworth. The primary objective is to analyze how the American protagonist’s evolving perception of Germany influences his marriage and his own identity, contrasting the "American" way of life with the "European" aristocratic tradition.
- The impact of cultural identity and heritage on character perception.
- The contrasting worldviews of American materialism versus European traditionalism.
- The influence of external figures, such as Professor Braut and Count Kurt von Obersdorf, on the protagonists.
- The symbolic significance of Germany and Berlin in the breakdown of Sam and Fran Dodsworth's marriage.
- The evolution of the "American" perspective when confronted with foreign environments.
Excerpt from the Book
America’s Image of Germany Exemplified by Sinclair Lewis’ Novel Dodsworth
Sinclair Lewis’ novel Dodsworth is about the ambitious 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?
Summary of Chapters
Southern Connecticut State University: Provides institutional context for the independent study paper.
English Department: Identifies the academic setting of the research.
Spring 2003: Specifies the timeline for the academic investigation.
ENG 600 – Independent Study: American Literature of the Early 1900s: Introduces the course framework and historical period focused on in the analysis.
America’s Image of Germany Exemplified by Sinclair Lewis’ Novel Dodsworth: Analyzes the novel’s depiction of Germany and its transformative effect on the protagonists' marriage and worldview.
Keywords
Sinclair Lewis, Dodsworth, American Literature, Germany, Europe, Cultural Assimilation, Aristocracy, Marriage, Identity, Berlin, Samuel Dodsworth, Fran Dodsworth, Kurt von Obersdorf, Professor Braut, Tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this study?
The study focuses on how Germany is portrayed in Sinclair Lewis's novel Dodsworth and how this portrayal impacts the marriage and personal development of the American couple, Sam and Fran Dodsworth.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
Key themes include cultural identity, the conflict between American materialism and European tradition, the nature of aristocratic culture, and the role of environment in personal and marital breakdown.
What is the central research question?
The work seeks to clarify how America views Germany and how the image of Germany portrayed in the novel influences the characters' perspectives and the stability of their marriage.
What scientific methods are utilized?
The paper employs a literary analysis method, interpreting selected passages from the novel to trace the development of the characters' perceptions of Germany and their subsequent existential shifts.
What does the main body of the text cover?
The body examines initial impressions of Germany through Fran's background, the contrast provided by characters like Professor Braut and Count Kurt von Obersdorf, and the ultimate resignation Sam feels regarding his own understanding of Europe.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
Core keywords include Sinclair Lewis, Dodsworth, American Literature, Germany, Europe, Aristocracy, and Cultural Identity.
How does Sam Dodsworth’s view of Germany change throughout the novel?
Sam begins with an idealized or media-informed view of Europe but transitions to a more complex, disillusioned understanding after experiencing the European "insider" perspective of aristocracy and tradition.
What role does Count Kurt von Obersdorf play in the narrative?
Kurt serves as a catalyst for the couple's separation, embodying the European aristocratic ideals that attract Fran and highlight the perceived "provincial" nature of her husband, Sam.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2003, America’s image of Germany exemplified by Sinclair Lewis’ novel 'Dodsworth', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/23492
