Work of Art by Sinclair Lewis (1934)

Name: Work of Art
Author: Sinclair Lewis

The novel follows the story of a young artist, Johnnie Gray, who is struggling to make a name for himself in the art world. He is a talented painter, but his work is not appreciated by the art critics and gallery owners. He is also struggling to make ends meet, and is constantly in debt. Johnnie meets a wealthy woman, Mrs. Van Dyke, who is interested in his work and offers to help him financially. She also introduces him to her circle of friends, who are all part of the art world. Johnnie is soon accepted into the group, and his work begins to be appreciated. However, Johnnie soon finds himself in a difficult situation. He is torn between his love for Mrs. Van Dyke and his desire to be a successful artist. He must decide whether to stay with Mrs. Van Dyke and be financially secure, or to pursue his art and risk failure. The novel follows Johnnie's journey as he struggles to make a name for himself in the art world, and to find a balance between his love and his art.

By Sinclair Lewis · First published 1934 · Genre: Satire, Realism, Romance · 36 chapters · 118,394 words

First lines

The flat roof of the American House, the most spacious and important hotel in Black Thread Centre, Connecticut, was lined with sheets of red-painted tin, each embossed with 'Phoenix, the Tin of Kings'. Though it was only 6.02, this July morning in 1897, the roof was scorching. The tin was like a flat-iron, and the tar along the brick coping, which had bubbled all yesterday afternoon, was stinging to the fingers.

Far below, in Putnam Street, a whole three stories down from the red tin roof, Tad Smith, the constable, said to Mr. Barstow, the furniture-dealer, 'Well, sir, going to be another scorcher, like yesterday.'

What this Textopian page supports

Work of Art is listed on Textopian as a novel by Sinclair Lewis, dated 1934 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Sinclair Lewis
Date: 1934 CE
Language: English
Genres: Satire, Realism, Romance, Drama
Length: 118,394 words
Structure: 36 chapters, 2,102 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Work of Art?
How does this novel by Sinclair Lewis fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Satire first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Satire — The novel is a satirical critique of the art world and its pretensions.
Realism — The novel is a realistic portrayal of the art world and its characters.
Romance — The novel follows the romantic relationship between the two main characters.
Drama — The novel follows the dramatic events that unfold in the art world.