Chapters 1, 2 and 3 Summary

Arrowsmith by Sinclair Lewis is the story of Martin Arrowsmith, a young Midwestern boy who dreams of being a medical researcher. Martin's life and career are tested by affronts to his authenticity and view of perfect medicine. Martin's isolationist tendencies allow him few friends and very one-sided romantic attachments. Throughout his career Martin finds success but cannot allow himself to cross over from pure research to commercial medicine and ultimately gives up his job, wife and son in favor of research in a cabin in Vermont.

The story begins with a very short passage about a young woman driving a wagon through the Ohio wilderness. Having just buried her mother and caring for her sick father, the girl will not stop on her way west to find a better life. This girl is identified as Martin Arrowsmith's great grandmother.

In 1897 Martin...