THE ARTISTIC REPRESENTATION OF FEMINISM IN THE SELECTED WORKS OF SINCLAIR LEWIS

Abstract

This study investigates how Sinclair Lewis depicted his views on the social role of women in the heroines of the novels Job, Main Street, and Ann Vickers. In the central ideas of feminism women's movement, profession, and social activity are seen as an important factor ensuring women's socialization, well-being, and emancipation. The qualitative analysis of the novels through the social, family and business context shows that the same idea is conceptually important in many novels by S. Lewis. The ability to influence the life of society through a certain profession, to realize one's identity, and to know one's potential through professional activity is manifested in the characters of Una Golden, Carol Kennicott, and Ann Vickers. However, while the early feminist theorists advocated having work and well-paid jobs in general, S. Lewis expressed in artistic images that meaningful and purposeful work is more beneficial for women. In particular, the novel "Job" shows that the author is against the exploitation of women by the capitalist patriarchy. The findings reveal that S. Lewis's views on feminism are eternal due to their universality, as a continuation of the ideas of humanism; and his works are valuable because they reflect high humanitarian ideas.