In "Main Street," Sinclair Lewis reflects on the transformation of the American Midwest, suggesting that the romanticized past of pioneering has vanished. The days of adventurous settlers, characterized by women in sunbonnets and stories of bears being hunted, are gone, replaced by a more complex and confused reality. This nostalgia highlights a shift in culture and values, as the pioneering spirit no longer defines the region.
The rebellious girl symbolizes the new identity of the Midwest. She embodies the change and the spirit of rebellion against traditional norms in a bewildered society. This character represents a departure from the idealized past, indicating that the American Midwest is evolving into something more modern and multifaceted, albeit with its own challenges.