Main Street, first published in 1920, tells the story of Carol Kennicott, an idealistic young woman who moves to the small town of Gopher Prairie, Minnesota, after marrying a local doctor. Carol dreams of transforming the town's conservative and narrow-minded ways, but she soon faces resistance from its residents. Through Carol's struggles, Lewis offers a sharp critique of small-town life, provincialism, and the conformity of American society in the early 20th century. Main Street became a landmark in American literature for its biting social commentary and realistic portrayal of the challenges of reform.