Arrowsmith · Chapter
XII explained
Martin Arrowsmith, now married to Leora, practices medicine in the small town of Wheatsylvania, where he struggles with the monotony of rural life and the demands of his patients.
What happens
Martin Arrowsmith, now married to Leora, practices medicine in the small town of Wheatsylvania, where he struggles with the monotony of rural life and the demands of his patients. He becomes involved in a diphtheria outbreak, treating a child who ultimately dies, which deepens his disillusionment with general practice and his longing for scientific research.
Themes in this chapter
The Cost of Ambition
Martin's ambition for scientific research is stifled by the demands of rural practice, leading to frustration and a sense of failure.
Death and Mortality
The death of a child from diphtheria underscores the fragility of life and the limits of medical intervention.
Characters to notice
- Martin Arrowsmith
Struggles with the tedium of small-town practice and the emotional toll of a child's death from diphtheria.
- Leora Tozer
Supports Martin in Wheatsylvania, managing their home and providing emotional stability.
- Bert Tozer
Leora's brother, who interacts with Martin in the town.
- Andrew Jackson Tozer
Leora's father, a local farmer who represents the conservative values of the community.
Key passages
“He had been in Wheatsylvania for a year and a half, and he was tired of it.”
After eighteen months in Wheatsylvania, Martin has grown weary of his life there.
Highlights Martin's growing dissatisfaction with small-town practice.
“The child died at three in the morning.”
The child passed away at three o'clock in the morning.
Marks the pivotal moment of the diphtheria outbreak's tragic outcome.